Your air conditioner is blissful relief on a scorching summer day. When the summer heat kicks in in Payson, AZ, nothing feels quite so good as a pleasantly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From reduced efficiency that spikes energy costs to physical strain that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help your AC unit make it through the heat. This blog will cover how hot weather affects your air conditioner and summer cooling tips to keep you comfortable while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your AC.
Why Your AC May Not Keep Up with the Heat
When it's very hot outdoors, there's a significant gap between the hot outdoor temperature and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of energy from your AC unit, requiring it to run constantly 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 loses efficiency—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Operating your cooling system in extreme heat can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. The load caused by hot weather 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 shutting down in extreme temps starts with choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can struggle to cool your home even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are oversized waste energy and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at North Mechanical Heating and Cooling, our skilled cooling professionals carefully evaluate your property and your personal cooling needs to find the ideal AC 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 what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During High Heat
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during heat waves is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, experienced cooling specialists evaluate the entire unit—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, easing the load by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at North Mechanical Heating and Cooling also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to fix, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing DIY maintenance in hot weather. 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 Misunderstandings About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three clarifications to the most common myths we hear about how to stay comfortable during a heatwave:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not speed up the cooling process. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. Instead, it lets indoor temps rise and leave your system with extra work when you come home and turn the air back 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 bigger units have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing temperature swings, moisture buildup and other problems. A properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.
Strategies to Help Your System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There's a lot you can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Set your thermostat just a bit higher and turn on fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do routine AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run high-heat appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Reduce Cooling Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from North Mechanical Heating and Cooling
Be sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Payson, AZ, with AC maintenance from North Mechanical Heating and Cooling. Our crews will thoroughly check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Set up your appointment by calling 928-263-6494 today!