Your air conditioner is blissful relief on a scorching summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Newton, IA, nothing feels quite so good as a pleasantly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to wear and tear that causes malfunctions, operating your AC in hot weather can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when most people really count on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your air conditioner make it through the heat. This blog will discuss the effects of summer heat on cooling systems and summer cooling tips to help you stay cool while safeguarding your cooling system.
Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a major difference between the high outdoor temps and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of energy on the part of your cooling system, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects AC Performance
When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it loses efficiency—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Using your air conditioner in on hot days can put excessive strain on your AC, 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 breaking down in high heat starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can struggle to cool your home even on a mild day. Units that are oversized aren’t energy-efficient and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at Brookwood Inc, our skilled cooling professionals analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your personal cooling needs to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's size, room configuration and insulation levels are all carefully reviewed to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during heat waves is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, qualified professionals evaluate the entire unit—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency by cleaning out buildup and debris and replacing dirty air filters, easing the load by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Brookwood Inc also check for visible damage or brewing problems to fix, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing DIY maintenance in the summer heat. Activities such as inspecting HVAC filters regularly and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Misconceptions About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in extreme heat. Here are three facts to the most frequent misunderstandings 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 will cool your home at a steady pace 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 more to do 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.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit for your home isn’t the best choice. While bigger units have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing uneven cooling, high humidity and other problems. A properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.
Strategies to Help Your Air Conditioning Handle Extreme Heat
Homeowners can take several steps to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Raise your thermostat just a bit higher and use fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do simple AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run heat-generating appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Reduce AC Issues During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Brookwood Inc
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Newton, IA, with AC maintenance from Brookwood Inc. Our crews will thoroughly inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Set up your appointment by contacting us at 641-693-6216 today!
