Your AC is a welcome escape on a hot summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Highlands Ranch, CO, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From reduced efficiency that spikes energy costs to mechanical stress that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your AC unit survive the hot weather. This blog will discuss the effects of summer heat on cooling systems and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while safeguarding your cooling system.
Why Your AC May Not Keep Up with the Heat
When it's scorching outside, there's a significant gap between the high outdoor temps and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of effort on the part of 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 air conditioner has to work extra hard in high heat it becomes less effective—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Running your AC in extreme heat can push your system too hard, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to stop working. 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 the Correct Size AC is Important
Lowering the chances of your AC overheating and failing starts with selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a moderate summer day. Units that are oversized waste energy and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at PS Cool Heat, our skilled cooling professionals carefully evaluate your property and your personal cooling needs 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.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during hot summer spells is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, experienced cooling specialists inspect your system—checking things like internal components, electrical wiring and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency 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 PS Cool Heat also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to fix, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing basic AC system chores in the summer heat. Activities such as swapping out old AC air filters and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Misunderstandings About Air Conditioning Homes During Heatwaves
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three facts to the most common myths we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not cool your home faster. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not save energy. 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 leave your AC running.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the smartest solution. While large systems have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing uneven cooling, high humidity and other problems. A properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.
Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Heat
There are many things homeowners can do to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Set 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 inspecting and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run high-heat appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Avoid Cooling Issues in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from PS Cool Heat
Be sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Highlands Ranch, CO, with AC maintenance from PS Cool Heat. Our crews will meticulously inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Schedule your appointment by contacting us at 720-613-2210 today!
