The AC unit in your home is a welcome escape on a hot summer day. When the summer heat kicks in in Menomonie, WI, nothing feels quite so good as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to physical strain that causes malfunctions, operating your AC in intense heat can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, hot weather is when the average household relies 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 discuss ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to keep you comfortable while safeguarding your cooling system.
Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a major difference between the intense heat outside and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Bridging the temperature gap 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 Air Conditioning Performance
When your AC unit has to work extra hard in high heat it operates less efficiently—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Using your air conditioner in extreme heat 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 mechanical issues 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 shutting down in extreme temps 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 Halverson Brothers Inc, our skilled cooling professionals carefully evaluate your property and your comfort preferences to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's size, number of windows and insulation levels are all carefully reviewed to make sure your air conditioner has the capacity to maintain comfort.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During a Heatwave
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during hot summer spells is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, qualified professionals inspect your system—checking things like critical parts, connections and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, easing the load by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Halverson Brothers Inc also check for visible damage or brewing problems to repair, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing DIY maintenance in warmer months. 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 maintaining optimal performance.
Common Misunderstandings About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several misconceptions exist about using your AC effectively in hot weather. Here are three truths to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to stay comfortable during a heatwave:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not make your home colder faster. Your AC will cool your home at a steady pace no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Powering down your AC unit 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 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.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit for your home isn’t the most effective option. While large systems have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing uneven cooling, moisture buildup and other problems. A unit that's appropriately sized cools your home better.
Strategies to Help Your HVAC System Handle Extreme Temperatures
Homeowners can take several steps to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Adjust your thermostat a little higher and run fans to circulate air and make the room more comfortable
- Do routine AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and rinsing 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 getting inside
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Reduce Cooling Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Halverson Brothers Inc
Ensure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Menomonie, WI, with AC maintenance from Halverson Brothers Inc. Our crews will meticulously inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Schedule your appointment by calling 715-578-8046 today!
