Your AC is a welcome escape on a hot summer day. When the summer heat kicks in in Arlington, WA, nothing feels as nice as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have negative effects 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, hot weather is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help your cooling system 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 Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's scorching outside, there's a major difference between the high outdoor temps and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of effort on the part of your cooling system, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect Air Conditioning Performance
When your cooling system has to run nonstop it operates less efficiently—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Operating your cooling system in intense summer weather can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. 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 overheating and failing starts with selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are larger than necessary aren’t energy-efficient and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning, our trained AC installation experts thoroughly assess your home and your personal cooling needs to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, number of windows and insulation levels are all taken into account 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 most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during periods of extreme heat is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our routine tune-ups, experienced cooling specialists thoroughly check your AC—checking things like critical parts, connections and coolant amounts. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and installing clean filters, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to repair, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing simple upkeep 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 helping your system run better.
Common Misunderstandings About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three truths 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 speed up the cooling process. Your AC runs at the same speed 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 allows your house to heat up 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 uneven cooling, moisture buildup and other problems. A properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.
Ways to Help Your Air Conditioning Handle Extreme Heat
There's a lot you can do to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Adjust your thermostat just a bit higher and use fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do routine AC upkeep 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 high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Reduce Cooling Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning
Make sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Arlington, WA, with AC maintenance from Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning. Our crews will thoroughly check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Schedule your appointment by calling 360-939-9033 today!