Your air conditioner is a lifesaver on a blazing afternoon. When the hot weather arrives in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, nothing feels as nice as a refreshingly air-conditioned 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 physical strain that causes failures, operating your AC in intense heat can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, hot weather 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 make it through the heat. This blog will discuss 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 Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's very hot outdoors, there's a significant gap between the intense heat outside and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of effort on the part of your cooling system, forcing it to operate nonstop to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect Air Conditioning Performance
When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it becomes less effective—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Operating your cooling system in on hot days can put excessive strain on your AC, 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.
Why It's So Important to Have the Right Size AC in Your Home
Reducing the risk of your AC breaking down in high heat starts with selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can struggle to cool your home 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 ACE Solutions, 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 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 Extreme Heat
One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during hot summer spells is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, qualified professionals evaluate the entire unit—checking things like critical parts, electrical wiring and refrigerant levels. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, reducing strain by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at ACE Solutions also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to fix, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing simple upkeep 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 helping your system run better.
Common Myths About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in high temperatures. Here are three clarifications to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not make your home colder faster. Your AC will cool your home at a steady pace no matter what temperature you set.
- Shutting your AC off completely when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with extra work 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.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit for your home isn’t the most effective option. While bigger units have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing inconsistent temperatures, high humidity and other performance issues. A properly-sized AC performs more efficiently.
Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Heat
There are many things homeowners can do to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Adjust your thermostat a few degrees higher and use fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do routine AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
- Don't run high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when there are high temps
Avoid Cooling Breakdowns in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from ACE Solutions
Be sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, with AC maintenance from ACE Solutions. Our crews will thoroughly inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Set up your appointment by contacting us at 201-426-0650 today!