Arizona homeowner guide

Main water shutoff

At the meter near the street. Arizona homes are almost exclusively slab-on-grade, no basements. The meter is often a recessed box at the street; it requires a special key or wrench to operate. Know where yours is and how to operate it before an emergency.

AC system: your most critical system

In Arizona, AC is a life-safety system. Know your air handler location (usually in a closet or garage), the condenser outside, your thermostat, and your HVAC company's number. An AC failure in Phoenix at 115°F is dangerous within 2-3 hours for elderly and vulnerable individuals.

Water softener

Phoenix water hardness is among the highest in the US (300-500 mg/L). Scale buildup destroys water heaters (shortens life by 30-50%), dishwashers, faucets, and washing machines. Know your water softener location and maintain its salt supply.

AC filter replacement

Replace monthly. Arizona's dust loads (especially after haboobs) are extreme. A clogged filter in Phoenix summer causes the evaporator coil to ice over, shutting down cooling. It also allows unfiltered dust into the system, degrading performance over time.

Hard water maintenance

Monthly: check water softener salt. Quarterly: descale faucet aerators and showerheads. Annually: flush water heater sediment (most Arizona water heaters last 6-8 years without maintenance vs 12+ with it).

AC service in March, not June

Service your AC in March or April. Phoenix HVAC technicians are completely unavailable in June-August during heat events. Coil cleaning, refrigerant check, capacitor test (capacitors fail first in Arizona heat), condensate drain flush.

Exterior caulking and paint

Arizona's UV is extreme; paint and caulk degrade faster here than anywhere else in the US. Inspect and re-caulk all exterior penetrations in spring before temperatures become extreme. UV-resistant caulk and elastomeric paint last longer in Arizona conditions.

Arizona monsoon flash flood preparation

Arizona's monsoon (July-September) brings intense, localized downpours. Phoenix and Tucson washes fill in minutes. Know which washes are near your home. Never drive through flooded roads; Arizona has the worst 'Turn Around, Don't Drown' statistics in the US, with multiple vehicles swept away each monsoon season.

Haboob (dust storm) preparation

Phoenix area haboobs can be a mile high and reduce visibility to zero in seconds. If driving when a haboob approaches: pull off the road, turn off lights, keep foot off the brake (so you don't look like a moving vehicle to the car behind you), wait it out. At home: seal doors and windows.

Flagstaff and White Mountains winter prep

Flagstaff averages 100+ inches of snow per year. Mountain home maintenance resembles northern states: pipe insulation, roof snow management, heating system service, and 7-day emergency supply stockpile. Phoenix-area homeowners: even Phoenix receives freezing temperatures most winters. Insulate hose bibs, disconnect hoses.

Backup cooling plan

Every Arizona household needs a plan for AC failure during extreme heat. Know your nearest cooling center, the nearest hotel with available rooms, and a friend or family member's home with AC. Have a window unit or portable AC in storage if possible.

Arizona bark scorpion is medically significant

The Arizona bark scorpion is the most venomous scorpion in North America and can climb walls and glass. Seal all gaps at doors, windows, and utility penetrations. Keep shoes off the floor at night (scorpions shelter in shoes and clothing). Monthly pest control treatment is standard in Maricopa and Pima counties.

Heat action plan: Arizona standard

Phoenix averages 110+ days above 100°F per year. Heat kills more Arizonans than any other weather event. Know your cooling center. APS and SRP both maintain cooling center locators. Have a backup plan for AC failure.

Outdoor work restrictions

OSHA requires 10-minute breaks every hour in shade for outdoor workers above 103°F. Homeowners doing yard work: work only before 9 AM or after 6 PM in summer. Heat stroke can occur in 15-30 minutes of outdoor exertion at 110°F.

Immediately move vulnerable people to cooling

If AC fails above 105°F: elderly, young children, and medically vulnerable people need to move to cooling immediately: a hotel, cooling center, or neighbor's home. APS: 1-602-371-7171. SRP: 1-602-236-8888. Tucson Electric: 1-520-623-7711.

Freeze event pipe response

Arizona pipes are minimally insulated. On hard freeze nights (below 28°F): let all faucets drip, open cabinet doors. If a pipe bursts: main water off at the meter street-side. Arizona plumbers are overwhelmed after statewide freeze events; wait times 48-72 hours.

Flash flood and monsoon inflow response

Arizona homes don't have basements. Flash flooding enters at grade through doors, windows, and garage openings. Move to higher ground immediately during a flash flood warning. Do not enter water-flooded areas with submerged electrical equipment. Call APS (1-602-371-7171) or SRP (1-602-236-8888) to disconnect at the meter.

Arizona heat outages are medical emergencies

Power outage in Phoenix at 115°F: move vulnerable people to cooling immediately: cooling centers, shelters, or hotels. APS: 1-602-371-7171. SRP: 1-602-236-8888. Tucson Electric: 1-520-623-7711. Generator outside only, 20+ feet from windows.

Evacuate and call from outside

Rotten egg smell: everyone out. Leave door open. Call 911. Southwest Gas: 1-877-860-6020. Do not re-enter until cleared.

Two exits, meet outside, never re-enter

Two ways out of every room. Outdoor meeting place. Crawl under smoke. Call 911. Never go back inside. Arizona's dry conditions mean house fires spread extremely fast.