The AC unit in your home is a welcome escape on a hot summer day. When the hot weather arrives in McPherson, KS, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly cool 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 intense heat can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your air conditioner survive the hot weather. This blog will explore the effects of summer heat on cooling systems 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 huge 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 AC unit, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect AC Performance
When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it loses efficiency—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Using your air conditioner in extreme heat can overload your cooling system, 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 components, leading to equipment failure 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 undersized can struggle to cool your home even on a mild day. Units that are oversized aren’t energy-efficient and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at McPherson Quality Air & Plumbing, our skilled cooling professionals carefully evaluate your property and your personal cooling needs to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, room configuration 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 a Heatwave
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during hot summer spells is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, trained HVAC technicians evaluate the entire unit—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 allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at McPherson Quality Air & Plumbing also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to address, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing DIY maintenance in the summer heat. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misconceptions About Air Conditioning Homes During Heatwaves
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in extreme heat. Here are three facts to the most common myths we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not speed up the cooling process. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter what temperature you set.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not improve energy efficiency. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with extra work 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 leave your AC running.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit for your home isn’t the smartest solution. While bigger units have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing temperature swings, high humidity and other performance issues. A properly-sized AC performs more efficiently.
Ways to Help Your Air Conditioning Handle Extreme Temperatures
Homeowners can take several steps to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Raise your thermostat just a bit higher and use fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do routine AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to stop cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run high-heat appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Reduce AC Issues During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from McPherson Quality Air & Plumbing
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in McPherson, KS, with AC maintenance from McPherson Quality Air & Plumbing. Our crews will meticulously inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Set up your appointment by reaching out to our team at 620-206-2886 today!
