Air conditioners across the metro area are working overtime.
The heat and humidity can take a toll on a home's A/C unit -- even if it's new.
KMBC's Dan Weinbaum went along with an A/C repairman on Monday.
John McGilton, with Affordable Air & Repair, said he's been working nonstop lately because there are so many air conditioners that need to be fixed.
"You would be surprised how many calls I run out on that's just a dirty coil and you don't know it until you get these temperatures," McGilton said.
He said dirty coils are the No. 1 culprit in causing A/C problems.
"The homeowners got a cottonwood tree, and even though it looks clean on the outside, he washed it out, the cottonwood gets stuck -- you see it coming out the backside," McGilton said. "If this coil is blocked, it runs longer, it runs at a higher pressure and a higher temperature."
McGilton said that will waste electricity and it could ruin an air conditioning unit.
McGilton advised homeowners to take a hose and wash out the coils from top to bottom, and he suggested doing this often.
Another suggestion is to change or clean your air filter frequently.
McGilton also advised to check the drainpipe. If it's clogged, all the humidity taken from the air will drip into the furnace.
Something else to check is the copper freon tubes outside.
"If it's cold, you're doing good. Now if it has ice on it, and the filter is clean, you're probably low on freon," McGilton said.
To clean the outside compressor, unplug the electric connection, take a hose and wash it out.
McGilton suggests helping elderly neighbors with their A/C units if possible.
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