Your air conditioner is a lifesaver on a hot summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Croydon, PA, nothing feels quite so good as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to mechanical stress that causes failures, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your air conditioner survive the hot weather. This blog will cover the effects of summer heat on cooling systems and summer cooling tips to help you stay cool while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your AC.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's scorching outside, there's a huge difference between the high outdoor temps and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of effort on the part of your cooling system, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Impacts Air Conditioning Performance
When your air conditioner has to run more often, or even constantly it becomes less effective—which in turn increases your utility bills. Operating your cooling system in intense summer weather can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. The load caused by hot weather also can cause wear and tear on other parts, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.
Why It's So Important to Have the Right Size AC in Your Home
Lowering the chances of your AC shutting down in extreme temps starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can struggle to cool your home even on a mild day. Units that are too big consume more power and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC, our trained AC installation experts carefully evaluate your property and your comfort preferences to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's size, floor plan and insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During High Heat
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during hot summer spells is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our routine tune-ups, experienced cooling specialists evaluate the entire unit—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and refrigerant levels. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and installing clean filters, easing the load by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to fix, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing DIY maintenance in the summer heat. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misunderstandings About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three clarifications to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not speed up the cooling process. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Shutting your AC off completely when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it allows your house to heat up and leave your system with extra work 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 smartest solution. While high-capacity models have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing uneven cooling, high humidity and other problems. A properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.
Strategies to Help Your Cooling System Handle Extreme Heat
There's a lot you can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Set your thermostat a few degrees higher and run fans to move air and make the room feel cooler
- Do simple AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Reduce Air Conditioning Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Croydon, PA, with AC maintenance from Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC. Our crews will meticulously check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Book your appointment by reaching out to our team at 215-741-5505 today!