The AC unit in your home is a welcome escape on a scorching summer day. When the summer heat kicks in in Wilmington, DE, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly 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 mechanical stress that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in intense heat 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 simple things you can do to help your cooling system make it through the heat. This blog will explore how hot weather affects your air conditioner and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your AC.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's extremely hot 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 from your AC unit, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect AC 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 put excessive strain on your AC, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to stop working. The stress from high temperatures also can cause wear and tear on other parts, leading to mechanical issues 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 shutting down in extreme temps starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can struggle to cool your home even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are larger than necessary aren’t energy-efficient and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Ambience HVAC, Inc., our trained AC installation experts thoroughly assess your home and your comfort preferences to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, 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 hot summer spells is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our routine tune-ups, qualified professionals thoroughly check your AC—checking things like critical parts, connections and fluid pressure. They also boost efficiency by cleaning out buildup and debris and installing clean filters, reducing strain by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Ambience HVAC, Inc. also check for visible damage or brewing problems to address, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing basic AC system chores in the summer heat. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misconceptions About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three facts to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not make your home colder faster. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter how low you set the temperature.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. Instead, it allows your house to heat up 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.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit for your home isn’t the most effective option. While bigger units have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing uneven cooling, moisture buildup and other problems. A properly-sized AC performs more efficiently.
Strategies to Help Your Cooling System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There's a lot you can do to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Set your thermostat a little higher and use fans to move air and make the room feel cooler
- Do basic AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run heat-generating appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Reduce Cooling Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Ambience HVAC, Inc.
Be sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Wilmington, DE, with AC maintenance from Ambience HVAC, Inc.. Our crews will carefully inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Book your appointment by contacting us at 302-239-HVAC (4822) today!