The AC unit in your home is a welcome escape on a blazing afternoon. When the temperatures rise in Grass Valley, CA, nothing feels quite so good as a pleasantly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to mechanical stress that causes failures, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, hot weather is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do 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 huge difference between the hot outdoor temperature and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of energy on the part of your air conditioner, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects AC Performance
When your air conditioner has to run nonstop it operates less efficiently—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Using your air conditioner in intense summer weather can overload your cooling system, 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 components, leading to mechanical issues 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 shutting down in extreme temps starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a moderate summer day. Units that are larger than necessary consume more power and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at A&A Air Conditioning, Heating & Sheet Metal, our trained AC installation experts analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your personal cooling needs to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's overall dimensions, number of windows 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 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 critical parts, connections and refrigerant levels. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and swapping out clogged filters, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at A&A Air Conditioning, Heating & Sheet Metal also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to address, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing DIY maintenance in warmer months. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Misconceptions About Air Conditioning Homes During Heatwaves
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in high temperatures. Here are three truths to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not speed up the cooling process. Your AC will cool your home at a steady pace no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. 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 adjust the setting slightly when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit for your home isn’t the best choice. While large systems have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing temperature swings, moisture buildup and other performance issues. A right-sized system cools your home better.
Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Heat
Homeowners can take several steps to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Adjust your thermostat a few degrees higher and run fans to circulate air and make the room more comfortable
- Do routine AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Avoid Air Conditioning Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from A&A Air Conditioning, Heating & Sheet Metal
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Grass Valley, CA, with AC maintenance from A&A Air Conditioning, Heating & Sheet Metal. Our crews will thoroughly check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Schedule your appointment by contacting us at 530-273-1301 today!