Your air conditioner is a welcome escape on a blazing afternoon. When the temperatures rise in Ellsworth, WI, nothing feels as nice as a refreshingly cool 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 intense heat can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when most people really count on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help your cooling system perform under pressure. This blog will cover the effects of summer heat on cooling systems and summer cooling tips to keep you comfortable while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather
When it's scorching outside, there's a huge difference between the intense heat outside and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of work from your AC unit, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Impacts Air Conditioning Performance
When your cooling system has to work extra hard in high heat it becomes less effective—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Operating your cooling system in intense summer weather can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to break. The load caused by hot weather also can cause wear and tear on other parts, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
Lowering the chances of your AC overheating and failing starts with choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can struggle to cool your home even on a mild day. Units that are too big aren’t energy-efficient and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC, our trained AC installation experts thoroughly assess your home and your comfort preferences to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's overall dimensions, number of windows and insulation levels are all taken into account to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During High Heat
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning 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 critical parts, electrical wiring and coolant amounts. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, minimizing wear by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to fix, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
You can make a difference by doing DIY maintenance 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 Misunderstandings About Air Conditioning Homes During Heatwaves
Several misconceptions exist about using your AC effectively in extreme heat. Here are three facts to the most common myths we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not cool your home faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter how low you set the temperature.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not improve energy efficiency. Instead, it allows your house to heat up and leave your system with more to do when you get back home and turn it on. It's better to adjust the setting slightly 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 power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing inconsistent temperatures, moisture buildup and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized performs more efficiently.
Ways to Help Your Air Conditioning Handle Extreme Temperatures
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 little higher and turn on fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do routine AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run high-heat appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Reduce Cooling Breakdowns During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC
Be sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Ellsworth, WI, with AC maintenance from Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC. Our crews will meticulously inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Set up your appointment by reaching out to our team at 715-603-4483 today!
