The AC unit in your home is blissful relief on a hot summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Opelika, AL, nothing feels as satisfying as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to mechanical stress that causes failures, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help your air conditioner make it through the heat. This blog will discuss ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
Why Your AC May Not Keep Up with the Heat
When it's very hot outdoors, there's a huge difference between the high outdoor temps and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of work from your cooling system, forcing it to operate nonstop to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect Air Conditioning Performance
When your air conditioner has to work extra hard in high heat it becomes less effective—which in turn increases your utility bills. Using your air conditioner in on hot days can push your system too hard, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. The load caused by hot weather 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 shutting down in extreme temps starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can struggle to cool your home even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are too big consume more power and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at Farnell Mechanical, 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, room configuration and insulation levels are all taken into account to make sure your air conditioner has the capacity to maintain comfort.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During High Heat
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during heat waves is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, trained HVAC technicians inspect your system—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and fluid pressure. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and replacing dirty air filters, reducing strain by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Farnell Mechanical, Inc. also check for visible damage or brewing problems to address, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
You can make a difference by doing basic AC system chores 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 Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three facts to the most common myths we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not cool your home faster. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter how low you set the temperature.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. Instead, it lets indoor temps rise and leave your system with a bigger job when you come home and turn the air back on. It's better to adjust the setting slightly when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the smartest solution. While bigger units have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing uneven cooling, moisture buildup and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized performs more efficiently.
Strategies to Help Your Cooling System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There's a lot you can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Set your thermostat a few degrees higher and use fans to move air and make the room feel cooler
- Do routine AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Avoid AC Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Farnell Mechanical, Inc.
Make sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Opelika, AL, with AC maintenance from Farnell Mechanical, Inc.. Our crews will thoroughly inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Schedule your appointment by reaching out to our team at 334-524-2458 today!