Your AC is a welcome escape on a scorching summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Lake Worth, FL, nothing feels as satisfying as a pleasantly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From reduced efficiency that spikes energy costs to wear and tear that causes failures, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive 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 perform under pressure. This blog will explore ways high temperatures affect your AC 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 major difference between the hot outdoor temperature and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of work on the part of your AC unit, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects Air Conditioning Performance
When your cooling system has to run more often, or even constantly it loses efficiency—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Operating your cooling system 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 parts, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.
Why It's So Important to Have the Right Size AC in Your Home
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 larger than necessary aren’t energy-efficient and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Smyth Air Conditioning, our trained AC installation experts 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, floor plan and insulation levels are all evaluated 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 periods of extreme heat is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, experienced cooling specialists evaluate the entire unit—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency 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 Smyth Air Conditioning also check for visible damage or brewing problems to fix, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
You can make a difference 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 helping your system run better.
Common Myths About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in high temperatures. Here are three clarifications 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 runs at the same speed no matter what temperature you set.
- Shutting your AC off completely when you're not home does not improve energy efficiency. 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 dial the temp back a few degrees when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- Choosing an air conditioner that's too big for your home isn’t the most effective option. While large systems have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing temperature swings, high humidity and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized performs more efficiently.
Strategies to Help Your HVAC System Handle Extreme Temperatures
Homeowners can take several steps to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Raise your thermostat a little higher and turn on fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do routine AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and rinsing 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 entering the home
- Don't run heat-generating appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Reduce AC Issues During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Smyth Air Conditioning
Make sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Lake Worth, FL, with AC maintenance from Smyth Air Conditioning. Our crews will thoroughly examine and service your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Set up your appointment by reaching out to our team at 561-533-6066 today!