The AC unit in your home is a lifesaver on a hot summer day. When the temperatures rise in Athol, ID, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to wear and tear that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in extreme temperatures 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 practical ways to help your cooling system make it through the heat. 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 Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's very hot outdoors, there's a huge difference between the intense heat outside and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of work on the part of your air conditioner, forcing it to operate nonstop to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect Air Conditioning Performance
When your cooling system has to work extra hard in high heat it loses efficiency—which in turn increases your utility bills. Using your air conditioner in on hot days can overload your cooling system, 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 components, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
Reducing the risk 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 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 Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling, our experienced HVAC technicians carefully evaluate your property 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 carefully reviewed to make sure your air conditioner has enough power to cool your home efficiently.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During a Heatwave
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during hot summer spells is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our routine tune-ups, qualified professionals evaluate the entire unit—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, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to repair, which can help avoid mid-season failures 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 making sure the coils on the outdoor unit are clean go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Myths About Air Conditioning Homes During Heatwaves
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in high temperatures. Here are three clarifications to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to stay comfortable during a heatwave:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not speed up the cooling process. 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 allows your house to heat up 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.
- 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 properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.
Strategies to Help Your Air Conditioning Handle Extreme Heat
There's a lot you can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Raise your thermostat a little higher and use fans to move air and make the room feel cooler
- Do basic AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run heat-generating appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when there are high temps
Reduce Cooling Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling
Ensure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Athol, ID, with AC maintenance from Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling. Our crews will carefully check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Set up your appointment by reaching out to our team at 208-561-1226 today!
