Your AC is a welcome escape on a hot summer day. When the summer heat kicks in in Iowa City, IA, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to mechanical stress that causes malfunctions, operating your AC in hot weather can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, hot weather is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your AC unit survive the hot weather. This blog will discuss ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to keep you comfortable while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your AC.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's scorching outside, there's a significant gap 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 AC unit, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Impacts Air Conditioning Performance
When your AC unit has to work extra hard in high heat it loses efficiency—which in turn increases your utility bills. Using your air conditioner in intense summer weather can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. The stress from high temperatures also can cause wear and tear on other parts, leading to equipment failure 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 choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are larger than necessary consume more power and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, our skilled cooling professionals thoroughly assess your home and your comfort preferences to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's overall dimensions, room configuration and insulation levels are all taken into account 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 hot summer spells is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our routine tune-ups, experienced cooling specialists inspect your system—checking things like internal components, electrical wiring and coolant amounts. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and swapping out clogged filters, reducing strain by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to repair, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing simple upkeep in warmer months. 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 Misunderstandings About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
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 stay comfortable during a heatwave:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not cool your home faster. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter how low you set the temperature.
- 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 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.
- Choosing an air conditioner that's too big for your home isn’t the most effective option. While high-capacity models have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing uneven cooling, high humidity and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized cools your home better.
Strategies to Help Your Cooling System Handle Extreme Temperatures
Homeowners can take several steps to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Adjust 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 checking and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to stop cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
- Don't run high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when there are high temps
Avoid Air Conditioning Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning
Make sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Iowa City, IA, with AC maintenance from Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning. Our crews will meticulously check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Book your appointment by calling 319-337-3520 today!
