Your AC is a welcome escape on a scorching summer day. When the temperatures rise in Cedar Rapids, IA, nothing feels as satisfying as a refreshingly cool 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 mechanical stress that causes failures, operating your AC in hot weather can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your air conditioner survive the hot weather. This blog will discuss ways high temperatures affect your AC 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 extremely hot 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 energy on the part of your AC unit, making it cycle continuously 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 raises your electricity costs. Running your AC in extreme heat can overload your cooling system, 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
Reducing the risk of your AC breaking down in high heat starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's too small 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 Ilten's, our trained AC installation experts carefully evaluate your property and your comfort preferences to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's overall dimensions, number of windows and insulation levels are all carefully reviewed to make sure your air conditioner has enough power to cool your home efficiently.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During High Heat
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during periods of extreme heat is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, trained HVAC technicians thoroughly check your AC—checking things like internal components, connections and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency by cleaning out buildup and debris and installing clean filters, minimizing wear by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Ilten's also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to address, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing simple upkeep in the summer heat. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in helping your system run better.
Common Misunderstandings About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in extreme heat. Here are three clarifications to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to stay comfortable during a heatwave:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not speed up the cooling process. Your AC runs at the same speed 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 lets indoor temps rise and leave your system with more to do when you get back home and turn it on. It's better to dial the temp back a few degrees when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the most effective option. While bigger units have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing uneven cooling, moisture buildup and other problems. A unit that's appropriately sized cools your home better.
Strategies to Help Your System Handle Extreme Heat
Homeowners can take several steps to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Raise your thermostat just a bit higher and turn on fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do basic AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run high-heat appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Avoid Air Conditioning Issues During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Ilten's
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Cedar Rapids, IA, with AC maintenance from Ilten's. Our crews will thoroughly examine and service your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Book your appointment by contacting us at 319-343-5158 today!