Your air conditioner is blissful relief on a hot summer day. When the summer heat kicks in in Lawrence, KS, nothing feels as nice as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to wear and tear that causes failures, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your AC unit perform under pressure. This blog will explore how hot weather affects your air conditioner 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 high outdoor temps and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of effort on the part of your AC unit, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Impacts Air Conditioning Performance
When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it loses efficiency—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Using your air conditioner in intense summer weather can push your system too hard, 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 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 picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can work harder than necessary 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 Scott Temperature, our trained AC installation experts analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your personal cooling needs to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, room configuration and insulation levels are all taken into account 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 to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, qualified professionals inspect your system—checking things like critical parts, electrical wiring and fluid pressure. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and installing clean filters, easing the load by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Scott Temperature also check for visible damage or brewing problems to repair, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing DIY maintenance in warmer months. 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 enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misunderstandings About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three facts to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not cool your home faster. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter how low you set the temperature.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not improve energy efficiency. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with a bigger job when you return and restart the system. It's better to adjust the setting slightly when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the best choice. While large systems have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing inconsistent temperatures, moisture buildup and other performance issues. A right-sized system cools your home better.
Strategies to Help Your Air Conditioning Handle Extreme Heat
Homeowners can take several steps to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Adjust your thermostat a little higher and run fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do basic AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking 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 getting inside
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Reduce AC Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Scott Temperature
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Lawrence, KS, with AC maintenance from Scott Temperature. Our crews will thoroughly check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Schedule your appointment by calling 785-503-3712 today!