The AC unit in your home is blissful relief on a hot summer day. When the temperatures rise in Port Orchard, WA, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From reduced efficiency that spikes energy costs to physical strain that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in hot weather can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat 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 AC unit make it through the heat. This blog will explore ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to help you stay cool while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a huge difference between the hot outdoor temperature and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of energy from your cooling system, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect Air Conditioning Performance
When your cooling system has to run nonstop it operates less efficiently—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Operating your cooling system in extreme heat can push your system too hard, 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 parts, leading to equipment failure 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 selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a mild day. Units that are larger than necessary waste energy and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Air Masters Heating & Cooling, our skilled cooling professionals thoroughly assess your home and your comfort preferences to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, number of windows and insulation levels are all carefully reviewed to make sure your air conditioner has enough power to cool your home efficiently.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During High Heat
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during periods of extreme heat is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, trained HVAC technicians inspect your system—checking things like critical parts, connections and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and swapping out clogged filters, reducing strain by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Air Masters Heating & Cooling also check for visible damage or brewing problems to address, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
You can make a difference by doing simple upkeep in hot weather. Activities such as inspecting HVAC filters regularly and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Myths About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in high temperatures. Here are three facts to the most common myths we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not speed up the cooling process. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with a bigger job when you return and restart the system. It's better to dial the temp back a few degrees when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit for your home isn’t the most effective option. While bigger units have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing inconsistent temperatures, high humidity and other problems. A properly-sized AC performs more efficiently.
Strategies to Help Your System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There are many things homeowners can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Set your thermostat a little higher and turn on fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do simple AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and cleaning 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 in
- Don't run high-heat appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Avoid AC Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Air Masters Heating & Cooling
Ensure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Port Orchard, WA, with AC maintenance from Air Masters Heating & Cooling. Our crews will carefully inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Schedule your appointment by reaching out to our team at 360-233-2573 today!