Your AC is a welcome escape on a blazing afternoon. When the temperatures rise in Mason City, IA, nothing feels as nice as a refreshingly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From reduced efficiency that spikes energy costs to wear and tear that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in intense heat can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when most people really count on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your AC unit perform under pressure. This blog will explore how hot weather affects your air conditioner and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your AC.
Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a major difference between the intense heat outside and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of work from your cooling system, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect Air Conditioning Performance
When your cooling system has to run nonstop it loses efficiency—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Running your AC in intense summer weather can push your system too hard, 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 equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
Reducing the risk of your AC breaking down in high heat starts with picking the correct size AC system 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 waste energy and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Mechanical Air Systems Co, our trained AC installation experts thoroughly assess your home and your comfort preferences to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's overall dimensions, number of windows and insulation levels are all taken into account to make sure your air conditioner has the capacity to maintain comfort.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during hot summer spells is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, trained HVAC technicians evaluate the entire unit—checking things like key mechanical elements, electrical wiring and refrigerant levels. They also boost efficiency by cleaning out buildup and debris and replacing dirty air filters, reducing strain by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Mechanical Air Systems Co also check for visible damage 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 hot weather. Activities such as swapping out old AC air filters and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Myths About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in high temperatures. Here are three facts to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not make your home colder faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter what temperature you set.
- Shutting your AC off completely when you're not home does not save energy. 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 keep the system on.
- Choosing an air conditioner that's too big 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 inconsistent temperatures, moisture buildup and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized cools your home better.
Strategies to Help Your System Handle Extreme Heat
Homeowners can take several steps to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Set your thermostat just a bit higher and turn on fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do routine AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
- Don't run high-heat appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Avoid Cooling Breakdowns During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Mechanical Air Systems Co
Ensure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Mason City, IA, with AC maintenance from Mechanical Air Systems Co. Our crews will carefully examine and service your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Set up your appointment by reaching out to our team at 641-454-6572 today!