The AC unit in your home is a lifesaver on a blazing afternoon. When the hot weather arrives in Moline, IL, nothing feels quite so good as a refreshingly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to wear and tear that causes malfunctions, operating your AC in intense heat 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 practical ways to help your AC unit make it through the heat. 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 very hot outdoors, there's a huge 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 work on the part of your AC unit, forcing it to operate nonstop to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects Air Conditioning Performance
When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it loses efficiency—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Using your air conditioner in extreme heat can put excessive strain on your AC, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. The stress from high temperatures also can cause wear and tear on other parts, 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 choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a moderate summer day. Units that are too big waste energy and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at J.L. Brady Company LLC, our experienced HVAC technicians thoroughly assess your home and your personal cooling needs to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, number of windows and insulation levels are all taken into account to make sure your air conditioner has enough power to cool your home efficiently.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During a Heatwave
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during heat waves is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our routine tune-ups, experienced cooling specialists inspect your system—checking things like critical parts, connections and fluid pressure. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and swapping out clogged filters, reducing strain by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at J.L. Brady Company LLC also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to repair, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing simple upkeep in warmer months. Activities such as swapping out old AC air filters and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misconceptions About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in extreme heat. Here are three truths to the most common myths we hear about how to stay comfortable during a heatwave:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not cool your home faster. Your AC will cool your home at a steady pace no matter how low you set the temperature.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. Instead, it allows your house to heat up and leave your system with extra work when you come home and turn the air back on. It's better to dial the temp back a few degrees when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- Choosing an air conditioner that's too big 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 inconsistent temperatures, high humidity and other problems. A right-sized system delivers consistent comfort.
Strategies to Help Your HVAC System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There are many things homeowners can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Set your thermostat a little higher and run fans to move air and make the room feel cooler
- Do simple AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to stop cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Reduce Cooling Issues in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from J.L. Brady Company LLC
Ensure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Moline, IL, with AC maintenance from J.L. Brady Company LLC. Our crews will carefully examine and service your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Book your appointment by contacting us at 309-865-5564 today!
