Your air conditioner is blissful relief on a scorching summer day. When the temperatures rise in Paxinos, PA, nothing feels as satisfying as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to wear and tear that causes malfunctions, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your AC unit survive the hot weather. This blog will discuss the effects of summer heat on cooling systems and summer cooling tips to keep you comfortable while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your AC.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a significant gap between the hot outdoor temperature and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of energy from your AC unit, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect AC Performance
When your AC unit has to work extra hard in high heat it becomes less effective—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Running your AC in intense summer weather can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. The strain heat puts on your AC also can cause wear and tear on other components, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.
Why It's So Important to Have the Right Size AC in Your Home
Reducing the risk of your AC breaking down in high heat starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are too big waste energy and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc., our experienced HVAC technicians carefully evaluate your property and your personal cooling needs to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's size, number of windows and insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during hot summer spells is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our routine tune-ups, qualified professionals thoroughly check your AC—checking things like internal components, connections and fluid pressure. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and swapping out clogged filters, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to address, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
You can make a difference by doing simple upkeep in the summer heat. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and making sure the coils on the outdoor unit are clean go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misconceptions About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in extreme heat. Here are three facts to the most common myths we hear about how to stay comfortable during a heatwave:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not make your home colder faster. Your AC will cool your home at a steady pace no matter how low you set the temperature.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. Instead, it allows your house to heat up and leave your system with a bigger job when you come home and turn the air back on. It's better to dial the temp back a few degrees when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the best choice. While high-capacity models have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing uneven cooling, high humidity and other performance issues. A properly-sized AC cools your home better.
Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There's a lot you can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Adjust your thermostat just a bit higher and run fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do routine AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
- Don't run high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Avoid AC Breakdowns During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Be sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Paxinos, PA, with AC maintenance from LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc.. Our crews will thoroughly examine and service your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Set up your appointment by reaching out to our team at 570-648-0748 today!