Your air conditioner can be a lifesaver on a hot summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Cape Girardeau, MO, nothing feels quiet so good as a refreshingly cool home. Unfortunately, running AC in extreme heat can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From inefficiency that runs up your power bills to wear and tear that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in hot weather can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, hot weather is when most people really count on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your cooling system survive the hot weather. This blog will cover the impact of air conditioner performance in high heat and summer cooling tips to help you stay cool while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a huge difference between the sweltering outdoor temperature and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of work on the part of your air conditioner, requiring it to run constantly to try to bring the temperature down to where you want it.
How Extreme Heat Impacts AC Performance
When your air conditioner has to run more, or constantly, it loses efficiency—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Running your AC in extreme heat can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or it to fail entirely. The strain heat puts on your AC also can cause wear and tear on other components, causing breakdowns that require air conditioning repair.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
Reducing the risk of your AC overheating and failing during a heatwave starts with selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can struggle to cool your home on even a mild day. Units that are too big waste energy and can fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Prestige Plumbing and Air, our experienced HVAC technicians thoroughly assess your home and personal cooling needs to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's size, layout, insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has enough power to cool your home efficiently.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During a Heatwave
One of the best ways to increase your AC efficiency during heat waves is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, experienced cooling specialists inspect your system—checking things like internal components, connections and refrigerant levels. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, reducing strain by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Prestige Plumbing and Air also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to fix, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during the stress from high heat.
Homeowners can help by doing DIY maintenance in hot weather. 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 Cooling in High Heat
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in high temperatures. Here are three facts for the most common myths we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not cool you home faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it allows your house to heat up and gives your system more to do when you get back home and turn it on. It's better to lower the temperature 5-10 degrees when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Choosing an air conditioner that's too big for your home isn't the best choice. While bigger units have more capacity, they can cool small space too quickly and cause uneven cooling, high humidity and other problems. A properly-sized AC cools your home better.
Strategies to Help Your System Handle Extreme Temperatures
Homeowners can take several steps to preventing AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying cool:
- Set your thermostat a few degrees higher and use fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do basic AC chores in between professional maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to stop cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run high-generating appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Reduce AC Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Prestige Plumbing and Air
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Cape Girardeau, MO, with AC maintenance from Prestige Plumbing and Air. Our crews will meticulously inspect and clean your unit, making sure it's operating at peak efficiency. Schedule your appointment by calling 573-510-2535 today!