Your air conditioner is a welcome escape on a blazing afternoon. When the summer heat kicks in in Derby, CT, nothing feels as satisfying as a pleasantly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From reduced efficiency that spikes energy costs to wear and tear that causes malfunctions, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, hot weather is when most people really count on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your cooling system survive the hot weather. This blog will discuss ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to help you stay cool while safeguarding your cooling system.
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 ideal indoor climate you expect. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of work from your air conditioner, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect Air Conditioning Performance
When your cooling system has to run more often, or even constantly it operates less efficiently—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Running your AC in on hot days can put excessive strain on your AC, 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 mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.
Why the Correct Size AC is Important
Reducing the risk of your AC shutting down in extreme temps starts with selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a moderate summer day. Units that are oversized aren’t energy-efficient and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning, our experienced HVAC technicians analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your comfort preferences to choose the best-cooling system 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 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, qualified professionals thoroughly check your AC—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and refrigerant levels. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and installing clean filters, reducing strain by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to repair, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns 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 maintaining optimal performance.
Common Myths About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in high temperatures. 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 speed up the cooling process. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Shutting your AC off completely 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 leave your AC running.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the best choice. While bigger units have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing inconsistent temperatures, high humidity and other problems. A unit that's appropriately sized cools your home better.
Strategies to Help Your System Handle Extreme Heat
There are many things homeowners can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Adjust your thermostat a few degrees higher and use fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do simple AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
- Don't run high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when there are high temps
Reduce AC Issues in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning
Make sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Derby, CT, with AC maintenance from Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning. Our crews will thoroughly inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Book your appointment by reaching out to our team at 203-941-5099 today!