Your AC is blissful relief on a hot summer day. When the summer heat kicks in in Duryea, PA, nothing feels quite so good as a pleasantly 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, hot weather is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help your cooling system survive the hot weather. This blog will explore how hot weather affects your air conditioner and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while safeguarding your cooling system.
Why Your AC May Not Keep Up with the Heat
When it's very hot outdoors, there's a significant gap between the intense heat outside 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, forcing it to operate nonstop 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 becomes less effective—which in turn increases your utility bills. Running your AC in extreme heat can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to break. The strain heat puts on your AC also can cause wear and tear on other components, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.
Why the Correct Size AC is Important
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 undersized can struggle to cool your home even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are oversized aren’t energy-efficient and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at GLR Mechanical, our skilled cooling professionals carefully evaluate your property and your comfort preferences to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's size, floor plan and insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has enough power to cool your home efficiently.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme 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, qualified professionals inspect your system—checking things like critical parts, connections and fluid pressure. 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 GLR Mechanical also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to fix, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
You can make a difference by doing basic AC system chores in warmer months. Activities such as swapping out old AC air filters and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misconceptions About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively 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:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not make your home colder faster. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter what temperature you set.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not improve energy efficiency. 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 best choice. While high-capacity models have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing temperature swings, moisture buildup and other problems. A properly-sized AC cools your home better.
Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There's a lot you can do to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Set your thermostat a little higher and turn on fans to circulate air and make the room more comfortable
- Do simple AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Reduce Cooling Breakdowns in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from GLR Mechanical
Make sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Duryea, PA, with AC maintenance from GLR Mechanical. Our crews will thoroughly examine and service your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Book your appointment by contacting us at 570-569-1873 today!