Your air conditioner is blissful relief on a scorching summer day. When the temperatures rise in Grimes, IA, nothing feels as satisfying 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 mechanical stress that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in hot weather can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when most people really count on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your air conditioner survive the hot weather. This blog will explore ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to keep you comfortable while safeguarding your cooling system.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's very hot outdoors, there's a huge difference between the hot outdoor temperature and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of work from your air conditioner, 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 operates less efficiently—which in turn increases your utility bills. Running your AC in extreme heat can push your system too hard, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. The stress from high temperatures also can cause wear and tear on other components, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.
Why the Correct Size AC is Important
Lowering the chances of your AC breaking down in high heat starts with selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can struggle to cool your home even on a moderate summer day. Units that are larger than necessary waste energy and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Heartland Heating & Cooling, our trained AC installation experts carefully evaluate your property and your comfort preferences to recommend the right unit 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 the capacity to maintain comfort.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the easiest ways to increase your AC efficiency during periods of extreme heat is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, trained HVAC technicians thoroughly check your AC—checking things like internal components, connections and refrigerant levels. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, minimizing wear by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Heartland Heating & Cooling also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to repair, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing basic AC system chores in hot weather. Activities such as inspecting HVAC filters regularly and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misunderstandings About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool 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:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not speed up the cooling process. 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 reduce your utility bills. Instead, it lets indoor temps rise and leave your system with extra work when you come home and turn the air back on. It's better to lower the temperature 5–10 degrees when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- Choosing an air conditioner that's too big for your home isn’t the most effective option. While high-capacity models have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing uneven cooling, high humidity and other performance issues. A properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.
Ways to Help Your HVAC System Handle Extreme Temperatures
Homeowners can take several steps to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Set your thermostat just a bit higher and use fans to circulate air and make the room more comfortable
- Do basic AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to stop cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
- Don't run high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when there are high temps
Reduce Air Conditioning Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Heartland Heating & Cooling
Make sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Grimes, IA, with AC maintenance from Heartland Heating & Cooling. Our crews will carefully inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Book your appointment by calling 515-800-9344 today!