Your air conditioner is a lifesaver on a blazing afternoon. When the temperatures rise in Delray Beach, FL, nothing feels quite so good as a pleasantly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to mechanical stress that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
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 explore ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while safeguarding your cooling system.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a significant gap 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 energy from your air conditioner, forcing it to operate nonstop to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect Air Conditioning Performance
When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it loses efficiency—which in turn increases your utility bills. Running your AC in on hot days can overload your cooling system, 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 parts, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
Why It's So Important to Have the Right Size AC in Your Home
Lowering the chances 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 fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Kilbourne Heating & AC, our experienced HVAC technicians 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 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.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme 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 seasonal AC maintenance visits, experienced cooling specialists thoroughly check your AC—checking things like critical parts, connections and refrigerant levels. They also boost efficiency by cleaning out buildup and debris and replacing dirty air filters, easing the load by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Kilbourne Heating & AC also check for visible damage 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 the summer heat. Activities such as inspecting HVAC filters regularly 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 Air Conditioning Homes During Heatwaves
Several misconceptions exist about using your AC effectively in hot weather. Here are three truths to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to stay comfortable during a heatwave:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not make your home colder faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter what temperature you set.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not improve energy efficiency. Instead, it lets indoor temps rise and leave your system with a bigger job when you come home and turn the air back on. It's better to dial the temp back a few degrees when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- Choosing an air conditioner that's too big for your home isn’t the best choice. While high-capacity models have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing inconsistent temperatures, high humidity and other problems. A unit that's appropriately sized cools your home better.
Strategies to Help Your HVAC System Handle Extreme Heat
There are many things homeowners can do to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Raise your thermostat just a bit higher and turn on fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do simple AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Avoid Air Conditioning Breakdowns During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Kilbourne Heating & AC
Ensure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Delray Beach, FL, with AC maintenance from Kilbourne Heating & AC. Our crews will thoroughly inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Book your appointment by reaching out to our team at 561-269-2261 today!