Your AC is a lifesaver on a scorching summer day. When the summer heat kicks in in Mobile, AL, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From reduced efficiency that spikes energy costs to wear and tear that causes failures, operating your AC in intense heat can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, hot weather is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are steps you can take 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 maintain comfort while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your AC.
Why Your AC May Not Keep Up with the Heat
When it's scorching outside, there's a major difference between the hot outdoor temperature 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 Affects AC Performance
When your AC unit has to run nonstop 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 stop working. The load caused by hot weather also can cause wear and tear on other parts, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
Reducing the risk of your AC overheating and failing starts with selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can struggle to cool your home even on a moderate summer day. Units that are too big waste energy and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc, our experienced HVAC technicians 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 square footage, 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 easiest ways to increase your AC efficiency during periods of extreme heat is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, qualified professionals inspect your system—checking things like critical parts, connections and refrigerant levels. They also boost efficiency by cleaning out buildup and debris and installing clean filters, easing the load by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to fix, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
You can make a difference by doing simple upkeep in the summer heat. Activities such as swapping out old AC air filters and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Misunderstandings About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in high temperatures. 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 how low you set the temperature.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it allows your house to heat up and leave your system with more to do when you return and restart the system. It's better to adjust the setting slightly when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Choosing an air conditioner that's too big for your home isn’t the best choice. While high-capacity models have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing uneven cooling, moisture buildup and other performance issues. A properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.
Ways to Help Your HVAC System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There are many things homeowners can do to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Raise your thermostat a little higher and turn on fans to move air and make the room feel cooler
- Do basic 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
- Seal windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when there are high temps
Avoid Air Conditioning Breakdowns During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc
Be sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Mobile, AL, with AC maintenance from Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. Our crews will carefully check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Set up your appointment by reaching out to our team at 251-471-2674 today!