Your AC is blissful relief on a scorching summer day. When the temperatures rise in Mission Viejo, CA, nothing feels as nice as a refreshingly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to physical strain that causes failures, operating your AC in intense heat can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, hot weather is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your cooling system survive the hot weather. This blog will discuss the effects of summer heat on cooling systems and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your AC.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a significant gap between the hot outdoor temperature and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of work on the part of your AC unit, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Impacts AC Performance
When your air conditioner has to work extra hard in high heat it becomes less effective—which in turn increases your utility bills. Using your air conditioner in on hot days can push your system too hard, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to stop working. 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
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 not powerful enough can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are oversized aren’t energy-efficient and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, our experienced HVAC technicians thoroughly assess your home and your comfort preferences to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, number of windows and insulation levels are all carefully reviewed 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 most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during periods of extreme heat is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, experienced cooling specialists inspect your system—checking things like critical parts, connections and refrigerant levels. They also boost efficiency by cleaning out buildup and debris and swapping out clogged filters, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning 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 swapping out old AC air filters and making sure the coils on the outdoor unit are clean go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misconceptions About Air Conditioning Homes During Heatwaves
Several misconceptions exist about using your AC effectively in extreme heat. 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 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 reduce your utility bills. Instead, it allows your house to heat up and leave your system with more to do when you get back home and turn it on. It's better to adjust the setting slightly when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit for your home isn’t the most effective option. 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 unit that's appropriately sized performs more efficiently.
Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There are many things homeowners can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Raise your thermostat a few degrees higher and turn on fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do simple AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Weatherproof 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 when there are high temps
Reduce AC Issues in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning
Be sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Mission Viejo, CA, with AC maintenance from 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning. Our crews will thoroughly inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Book your appointment by contacting us at 949-762-8644 today!