Your air conditioner is a welcome escape on a blazing afternoon. When the hot weather arrives in Gardnerville, NV, nothing feels as satisfying as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From reduced efficiency that spikes energy costs to wear and tear that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your cooling system perform under pressure. This blog will cover how hot weather affects your air conditioner and summer cooling tips to keep you comfortable 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 significant gap between the high outdoor temps and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of effort on the part of your air conditioner, forcing it to operate nonstop to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect AC 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 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.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
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 undersized can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a moderate summer day. Units that are oversized aren’t energy-efficient and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at Beach & Sons Mechanical, Inc., our skilled cooling professionals analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your comfort preferences to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's overall dimensions, floor plan and insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During a Heatwave
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during heat waves is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, trained HVAC technicians thoroughly check your AC—checking things like key mechanical elements, electrical wiring and coolant amounts. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Beach & Sons Mechanical, Inc. also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to fix, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing simple upkeep 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 helping your system run better.
Common Myths About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in high temperatures. Here are three clarifications 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 speed up the cooling process. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter what temperature you set.
- Shutting your AC off completely when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it lets indoor temps rise and leave your system with more to do 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.
- Choosing an air conditioner that's too big for your home isn’t the smartest solution. While bigger units have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing inconsistent temperatures, high humidity and other problems. A properly-sized AC performs more efficiently.
Ways to Help Your Cooling System Handle Extreme Temperatures
Homeowners can take several steps to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Raise your thermostat just a bit higher and turn on fans to circulate air and make the room more comfortable
- Do basic AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Seal 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 AC Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Beach & Sons Mechanical, Inc.
Make sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Gardnerville, NV, with AC maintenance from Beach & Sons Mechanical, Inc.. Our crews will carefully inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Book your appointment by contacting us at 775-782-0055 today!