Your air conditioner is a lifesaver on a blazing afternoon. When the summer heat kicks in in Morgantown, WV, nothing feels quite so good as a pleasantly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to mechanical stress that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in intense heat can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when most people really count on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your cooling system make it through the heat. This blog will discuss how hot weather affects your air conditioner and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your AC.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's very hot outdoors, there's a significant gap between the hot outdoor temperature and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of work on the part of your cooling system, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Impacts Air Conditioning Performance
When your air conditioner has to run nonstop it becomes less effective—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Operating your cooling system in on hot days can push your system too hard, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. 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.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
Lowering the chances of your AC breaking down in high heat 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 mild day. Units that are oversized consume more power and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at Mountain Air, our trained AC installation experts thoroughly assess your home and your comfort preferences to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, floor plan 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 a Heatwave
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during heat waves 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 refrigerant levels. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and replacing dirty air filters, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Mountain Air also check for visible damage or brewing problems to repair, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing simple upkeep in hot weather. Activities such as inspecting HVAC filters regularly and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Misconceptions About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in extreme heat. Here are three clarifications to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not speed up the cooling process. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with extra work when you get back home and turn it on. It's better to lower the temperature 5–10 degrees when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit 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, high humidity and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized performs more efficiently.
Strategies to Help Your HVAC System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There's a lot you can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Set your thermostat just a bit higher and run fans to move air and make the room feel cooler
- Do basic AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to stop cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run high-heat appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Avoid Air Conditioning Issues During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Mountain Air
Ensure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Morgantown, WV, with AC maintenance from Mountain Air. Our crews will carefully inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Book your appointment by reaching out to our team at 304-244-3530 today!