Your AC is a welcome escape on a hot summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Fairview, PA, nothing feels quite so good as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to mechanical stress that causes failures, operating your AC in hot weather can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, hot weather 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 air conditioner perform under pressure. This blog will cover how hot weather affects your air conditioner and summer cooling tips to help you stay cool while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
Why Your AC May Not Keep Up with the Heat
When it's very hot outdoors, there's a major difference between the high outdoor temps and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of energy on the part of your cooling system, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Impacts AC Performance
When your air conditioner has to run nonstop it operates less efficiently—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Using your air conditioner in extreme heat can push your system too hard, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to break. The load caused by hot weather also can cause wear and tear on other components, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
Why the Correct Size AC is Important
Lowering the chances of your AC shutting down in extreme temps starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a moderate summer day. Units that are larger than necessary aren’t energy-efficient and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at Patterson & Stirling, our trained AC installation experts thoroughly assess your home and your personal cooling needs to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, room configuration and insulation levels are all taken into account to make sure your air conditioner has the capacity to maintain comfort.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the easiest ways to increase your AC efficiency during hot summer spells is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, trained HVAC technicians thoroughly check your AC—checking things like critical parts, connections and refrigerant levels. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and swapping out clogged filters, easing the load by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Patterson & Stirling also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to fix, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing basic AC system chores in warmer months. Activities such as swapping out old AC air filters and making sure the coils on the outdoor unit are clean go a long way in helping your system run better.
Common Misunderstandings About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in hot weather. Here are three truths to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not cool your home faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Powering down your AC unit 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 get back home and turn it 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 most effective option. While high-capacity models have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing uneven cooling, moisture buildup and other performance issues. A properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.
Strategies to Help Your Air Conditioning Handle Extreme Heat
There are many things homeowners can do to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Adjust your thermostat a little higher and turn on fans to move air and make the room feel cooler
- Do simple AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run high-heat 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 Patterson & Stirling
Ensure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Fairview, PA, with AC maintenance from Patterson & Stirling. Our crews will carefully examine and service your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Book your appointment by calling 814-739-6977 today!
