Your air conditioner is blissful relief on a scorching summer day. When the summer heat kicks in in Holbrook, NY, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to mechanical stress that causes malfunctions, operating your AC in intense heat can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, hot weather is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help your cooling system survive the hot weather. This blog will cover how hot weather affects your air conditioner 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 scorching outside, there's a major difference between the intense heat outside and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of work on the part of your cooling system, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects Air Conditioning Performance
When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it operates less efficiently—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Operating your cooling system in on hot days can push your system too hard, 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 parts, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.
Why the Correct Size AC is Important
Reducing the risk of your AC overheating and failing starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are oversized waste energy and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation, our trained AC installation experts carefully evaluate your property and your personal cooling needs 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 what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During High Heat
One of the easiest ways to increase your AC efficiency during hot summer spells is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, trained HVAC technicians inspect your system—checking things like internal components, electrical wiring and fluid pressure. 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 Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to fix, 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 making sure the coils on the outdoor unit are clean go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misunderstandings About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in high temperatures. Here are three truths to the most common myths we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not cool your home faster. Your AC will cool your home at a steady pace no matter what temperature you set.
- Shutting your AC off completely when you're not home does not improve energy efficiency. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with more to do when you come home and turn the air back on. It's better to adjust the setting slightly when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Choosing an air conditioner that's too big for your home isn’t the best choice. While high-capacity models 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 HVAC System Handle Extreme Heat
There's a lot you can do to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Raise your thermostat a few degrees higher and turn on fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do routine AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when there are high temps
Avoid Air Conditioning Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation
Ensure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Holbrook, NY, with AC maintenance from Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation. Our crews will carefully examine and service your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Schedule your appointment by calling 631-802-6021 today!