Your air conditioner is blissful relief on a hot summer day. When the temperatures rise in Richardson, TX, nothing feels as satisfying 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 physical strain that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your AC unit perform under pressure. This blog will explore ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to help you stay cool while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather
When it's very hot outdoors, there's a significant gap between the hot outdoor temperature and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of effort from your cooling system, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Impacts AC Performance
When your AC unit has to work extra hard in high heat it loses efficiency—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Operating your cooling system in on hot days 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 breaking down in high heat starts with choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can struggle to cool your home even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are too big waste energy and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at Spire Heating and Air Conditioning, our skilled cooling professionals thoroughly assess your home and your personal cooling needs 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 the capacity to maintain comfort.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During a Heatwave
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during hot summer spells is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, qualified professionals evaluate the entire unit—checking things like key mechanical elements, electrical wiring and fluid pressure. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, easing the load by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Spire Heating and Air Conditioning also check for visible damage 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 swapping out old AC air filters and making sure the coils on the outdoor unit are clean go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Misunderstandings About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in high temperatures. Here are three facts to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not speed up the cooling process. Your AC will cool your home at a steady pace no matter how low you set the temperature.
- Shutting your AC off completely 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 return and restart the system. It's better to lower the temperature 5–10 degrees 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 bigger units have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing uneven cooling, moisture buildup and other problems. A right-sized system cools your home better.
Strategies to Help Your System Handle Extreme Heat
There's a lot you can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Raise your thermostat a little higher and use fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do routine AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to stop cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run heat-generating appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Avoid Air Conditioning Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Spire Heating and Air Conditioning
Make sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Richardson, TX, with AC maintenance from Spire Heating and Air Conditioning. Our crews will carefully check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Set up your appointment by contacting us at 214-550-0111 today!