Your AC is a welcome escape on a blazing afternoon. When the temperatures rise in Waunakee, WI, nothing feels quite so good as a refreshingly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to physical strain that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, hot weather is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help your cooling system perform under pressure. This blog will cover how hot weather affects your air conditioner and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while safeguarding your cooling system.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's very hot outdoors, there's a huge difference between the hot outdoor temperature and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of effort on the part of your air conditioner, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect Air Conditioning Performance
When your AC unit has to run nonstop it loses efficiency—which in turn increases your utility bills. Using your air conditioner in intense summer weather can put excessive strain on your AC, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to break. The stress from high temperatures also can cause wear and tear on other components, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
Why the Correct Size AC is Important
Reducing the risk of your AC overheating and failing starts with selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a mild day. Units that are oversized waste energy and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at Home Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning LLC, our skilled cooling professionals analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your comfort preferences to recommend the right unit 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 the capacity to maintain comfort.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during periods of extreme heat is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, experienced cooling specialists thoroughly check your AC—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and coolant amounts. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and installing clean filters, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Home Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning LLC also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to address, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing DIY maintenance in warmer months. Activities such as inspecting HVAC filters regularly and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Misconceptions About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in hot weather. Here are three truths to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- 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.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with extra work when you come home and turn the air back on. It's better to adjust the setting slightly when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- 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, moisture buildup and other problems. A unit that's appropriately sized performs more efficiently.
Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There are many things homeowners can do to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Raise your thermostat just a bit higher and turn on fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do basic AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when there are high temps
Avoid Air Conditioning Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Home Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning LLC
Be sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Waunakee, WI, with AC maintenance from Home Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning LLC. 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 608-850-9498 today!
