Your AC is a welcome escape on a scorching summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Heflin, AL, nothing feels quite so good as a refreshingly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to wear and tear that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in intense heat can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help your cooling system survive the hot weather. This blog will cover ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to keep you comfortable while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
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 comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of work from your cooling system, forcing it to operate nonstop to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects Air Conditioning Performance
When your cooling system has to run more often, or even constantly it loses efficiency—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Running your AC in on hot days 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 components, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
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 have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a mild day. Units that are oversized consume more power and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at Bain Heating & Air Conditioning, our experienced HVAC technicians carefully evaluate your property and your personal cooling needs to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's size, room configuration and insulation levels are all carefully reviewed to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During High Heat
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 pre-summer service calls, trained HVAC technicians evaluate the entire unit—checking things like critical parts, connections and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and installing clean filters, minimizing wear by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Bain Heating & Air Conditioning also check for visible damage or brewing problems to address, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing simple upkeep in hot weather. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty 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 Myths About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in high temperatures. 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 speed up the cooling process. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it allows your house to heat up and leave your system with a bigger job when you get back home and turn it on. 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 temperature swings, high humidity and other problems. A unit that's appropriately sized performs more efficiently.
Ways to Help Your Air Conditioning Handle Extreme Heat
Homeowners can take several steps to avoid 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 feel cooler
- Do simple AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
- Don't run high-heat appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Avoid Air Conditioning Breakdowns in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Bain Heating & Air Conditioning
Make sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Heflin, AL, with AC maintenance from Bain Heating & Air Conditioning. Our crews will meticulously examine and service your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Set up your appointment by reaching out to our team at 256-946-4631 today!
