The AC unit in your home is a welcome escape on a scorching summer day. When the temperatures rise in Lexington, NC, nothing feels as nice as a refreshingly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to wear and tear that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in intense heat can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, hot weather is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your AC unit perform under pressure. This blog will explore ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's very hot outdoors, there's a major difference between the intense heat outside and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of effort on the part of your cooling system, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect AC Performance
When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it loses efficiency—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Operating your cooling system in on hot days can overload your cooling system, 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 components, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
Reducing the risk of your AC breaking down in high heat starts with choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are larger than necessary aren’t energy-efficient and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at James Heating & A/C, Inc, our experienced HVAC technicians carefully evaluate your property and your personal cooling needs to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, number of windows and insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has enough power to cool your home efficiently.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during hot summer spells is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our routine tune-ups, trained HVAC technicians inspect your system—checking things like internal components, connections and coolant amounts. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and swapping out clogged filters, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at James Heating & A/C, Inc 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 simple upkeep in hot weather. Activities such as inspecting HVAC filters regularly and making sure the coils on the outdoor unit are clean go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Misunderstandings About Air Conditioning Homes During Heatwaves
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in high temperatures. Here are three truths to the most frequent misunderstandings 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 will cool your home at a steady pace no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it lets indoor temps rise and leave your system with extra work when you come home and turn the air back 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 most effective option. While large systems have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing temperature swings, moisture buildup and other problems. A unit that's appropriately sized cools your home better.
Strategies to Help Your Cooling System Handle Extreme Heat
There are many things homeowners can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Set your thermostat just a bit higher and run 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
- Draw blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to stop cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Reduce AC Breakdowns During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from James Heating & A/C, Inc
Be sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Lexington, NC, with AC maintenance from James Heating & A/C, Inc. Our crews will carefully examine and service your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Set up your appointment by calling 336-853-6070 today!
