The AC unit in your home is blissful relief on a blazing afternoon. When the temperatures rise in Nebraska, NE, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures 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 hot weather can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your AC unit perform under pressure. This blog will explore ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort 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 major difference 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 energy from your air conditioner, forcing it to operate nonstop to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Impacts AC Performance
When your air conditioner has to run nonstop it operates less efficiently—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Running your AC in intense summer weather can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to stop working. The load caused by hot weather also can cause wear and tear on other parts, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
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 undersized can have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are too big waste energy and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning, our trained AC installation experts analyze your home’s specific layout and features 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 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 a Heatwave
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during hot summer spells is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, experienced cooling specialists thoroughly check your AC—checking things like internal components, connections and fluid pressure. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and swapping out clogged filters, easing the load by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning also check for visible damage or brewing problems to address, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing basic AC system chores in warmer months. 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 Myths About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in extreme heat. Here are three clarifications to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not cool your home faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter what temperature you set.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with more to do when you get back home and turn it on. It's better to dial the temp back a few degrees when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the most effective option. While large systems have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing temperature swings, high humidity and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized delivers consistent comfort.
Strategies to Help Your Cooling System Handle Extreme Heat
Homeowners can take several steps to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Adjust 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
- Close blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run high-heat appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Reduce Cooling Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning
Be sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Nebraska, NE, with AC maintenance from Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning. Our crews will carefully examine and service your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Book your appointment by calling 402-581-9641 today!