Your AC is blissful relief on a blazing afternoon. When the summer heat kicks in in Streamwood, IL, nothing feels as satisfying as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to mechanical stress 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 most people really count on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your air conditioner survive the hot weather. This blog will explore the effects of summer heat on cooling systems and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a significant gap between the high outdoor temps and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of energy on the part of your cooling system, 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 run nonstop it loses efficiency—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Using your air conditioner in intense summer weather can put excessive strain on your AC, 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
Lowering the chances of your AC overheating and failing starts with choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a mild day. Units that are too big consume more power and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Pure Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning, our experienced HVAC technicians analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your comfort preferences to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, room configuration and insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has enough power to cool your home efficiently.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the easiest ways to increase your AC efficiency during periods of extreme heat is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, trained HVAC technicians evaluate the entire unit—checking things like critical parts, electrical wiring and coolant amounts. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and replacing dirty air filters, reducing strain by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Pure Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning also check for visible damage or brewing problems to fix, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing simple upkeep in warmer months. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in helping your system run better.
Common Misconceptions About Air Conditioning Homes During Heatwaves
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in hot weather. Here are three facts to the most common myths we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not cool your home faster. Your AC will cool your home at a steady pace no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with a bigger job when you return and restart the system. It's better to lower the temperature 5–10 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 finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing inconsistent temperatures, moisture buildup and other performance issues. A properly-sized AC performs more efficiently.
Ways to Help Your Air Conditioning Handle Extreme Heat
Homeowners can take several steps to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Set your thermostat a few degrees higher and turn on fans to move 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
- Seal windows and doors to stop 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 during hot weather
Reduce Air Conditioning Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Pure Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning
Be sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Streamwood, IL, with AC maintenance from Pure Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning. Our crews will carefully examine and service your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Set up your appointment by contacting us at 630-313-2509 today!