Your AC is blissful relief on a scorching summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Newport, NC, nothing feels quite so good as a pleasantly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to mechanical stress that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in hot weather can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take 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 maintain comfort 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 hot outdoor temperature and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of effort on the part of your air conditioner, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects Air Conditioning Performance
When your air conditioner has to run more often, or even constantly it operates less efficiently—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Using your air conditioner 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 components, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.
Why the Correct Size AC is Important
Lowering the chances of your AC breaking down in high heat starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can struggle to cool your home even on a mild day. Units that are oversized aren’t energy-efficient and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Antonelli Comfort Solutions, 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, number of windows and insulation levels are all carefully reviewed to make sure your air conditioner has the capacity to maintain comfort.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During a Heatwave
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during heat waves is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our routine tune-ups, experienced cooling specialists inspect your system—checking things like internal components, connections and refrigerant levels. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and swapping out clogged filters, reducing strain by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Antonelli Comfort Solutions also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to address, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing simple upkeep in hot weather. Activities such as swapping out old AC air filters and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misunderstandings About Air Conditioning Homes During Heatwaves
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three facts to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to stay comfortable during a heatwave:
- Lowering the temperature way down 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 save energy. Instead, it lets indoor temps rise and leave your system with a bigger job when you get back home and turn it on. It's better to lower the temperature 5–10 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 cool a small space too quickly, causing temperature swings, high humidity and other problems. A properly-sized AC performs more efficiently.
Ways to Help Your HVAC System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There's a lot you can do to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Set your thermostat a little higher and use fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do basic AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to block 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 such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Reduce Air Conditioning Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Antonelli Comfort Solutions
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Newport, NC, with AC maintenance from Antonelli Comfort Solutions. Our crews will meticulously check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Schedule your appointment by calling 252-424-6803 today!
