The AC unit in your home is blissful relief on a hot summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Ames, IA, nothing feels as satisfying as a pleasantly cool 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 hot weather can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your air conditioner survive the hot weather. This blog will cover the effects of summer heat on cooling systems and summer cooling tips to keep you comfortable 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 significant gap between the intense heat outside and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of effort on the part of your air conditioner, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects Air Conditioning Performance
When your AC unit has to run nonstop it loses efficiency—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Operating your cooling system in intense summer weather can put excessive strain on your AC, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to break. The strain heat puts on your AC also can cause wear and tear on other components, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
Why It's So Important to Have the Right Size AC in Your Home
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 too small can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a moderate summer day. Units that are oversized waste energy and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at Haselhoff Air Solutions, our trained AC installation experts analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your personal cooling needs to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's size, number of windows and insulation levels are all taken into account to make sure your air conditioner has the capacity to maintain comfort.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During High Heat
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during hot summer spells is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, experienced cooling specialists inspect your system—checking things like internal components, electrical wiring and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Haselhoff Air Solutions also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to repair, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
You can make a difference by doing basic AC system chores in hot weather. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Myths About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three clarifications to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not make your home colder faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Shutting your AC off completely 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 come home and turn the air back on. 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 smartest solution. While bigger units have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing inconsistent temperatures, high humidity and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized delivers consistent comfort.
Strategies to Help Your HVAC System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There are many things homeowners can do to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Adjust your thermostat a little higher and use fans to circulate air and make the room more comfortable
- Do simple AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to stop cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Avoid Air Conditioning Breakdowns in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Haselhoff Air Solutions
Ensure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Ames, IA, with AC maintenance from Haselhoff Air Solutions. Our crews will thoroughly examine and service your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Set up your appointment by calling 515-450-8739 today!