The AC unit in your home is a lifesaver on a scorching summer day. When the temperatures rise in Neptune City, NJ, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to wear and tear that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in hot weather can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your AC unit make it through the heat. This blog will cover the effects of summer heat on cooling systems and summer cooling tips to help you stay cool while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a huge difference between the hot outdoor temperature and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of work from your cooling system, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect AC Performance
When your cooling system has to run more often, or even constantly it becomes less effective—which in turn increases your utility bills. Operating your cooling system in extreme heat can put excessive strain on your AC, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to break. The strain heat puts on your AC also can cause wear and tear on other parts, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
Why It's So Important to Have the Right Size AC in Your Home
Reducing the risk 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 work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are oversized waste energy and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Aggressive Mechanical, our experienced HVAC technicians analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your personal cooling needs to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's size, number of windows and insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
Ways that 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 routine tune-ups, trained HVAC technicians evaluate the entire unit—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and fluid pressure. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and installing clean filters, easing the load by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Aggressive Mechanical also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to address, which can help avoid mid-season failures 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 clearing debris from the outside unit 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 clarifications to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not cool your home faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter how low you set the temperature.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it allows your house to heat up and leave your system with more to do when you return and restart the system. It's better to dial the temp back a few degrees when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the most effective option. While bigger units have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing inconsistent temperatures, moisture buildup and other problems. A properly-sized AC cools your home better.
Ways to Help Your AC Handle Extreme Heat
There's a lot you can do to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Raise your thermostat a little higher and run fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do routine AC upkeep 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 stop cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Avoid Air Conditioning Breakdowns in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Aggressive Mechanical
Be sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Neptune City, NJ, with AC maintenance from Aggressive Mechanical. Our crews will carefully check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Schedule your appointment by reaching out to our team at 732-502-9300 today!