Your AC is a welcome escape on a hot summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Irvine, CA, nothing feels quite so good as a refreshingly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From reduced efficiency that spikes energy costs to physical strain that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help your air conditioner make it through the heat. This blog will explore 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 very hot outdoors, there's a significant gap between the intense heat outside and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of work from your air conditioner, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects Air Conditioning Performance
When your AC unit has to work extra hard in high heat it loses efficiency—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Operating your cooling system in intense summer weather can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to break. The stress from high temperatures also can cause wear and tear on other components, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
Lowering the chances 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 mild day. Units that are larger than necessary consume more power and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at Silver Fox Cooling & Heating, our trained AC installation experts thoroughly assess your home and your personal cooling needs to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's size, number of windows and insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has the capacity to maintain comfort.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During a Heatwave
One of the easiest ways to increase your AC efficiency during heat waves is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, trained HVAC technicians evaluate the entire unit—checking things like critical parts, connections and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Silver Fox Cooling & Heating also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to repair, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
You can make a difference by doing simple upkeep 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 helping your system run better.
Common Misconceptions About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several misconceptions exist about using your AC effectively in high temperatures. Here are three truths to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to stay comfortable during a heatwave:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not make your home colder faster. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Shutting your AC off completely when you're not home does not improve energy efficiency. Instead, it lets indoor temps rise and leave your system with extra work when you come home and turn the air back on. It's better to lower the temperature 5–10 degrees when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit for your home isn’t the smartest solution. While large systems have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing inconsistent temperatures, high humidity and other performance issues. A right-sized system cools your home better.
Ways to Help Your HVAC System Handle Extreme Heat
There are many things homeowners can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Raise your thermostat just a bit higher and use fans to circulate air and make the room more comfortable
- Do routine AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to prevent 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
Reduce AC Issues During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Silver Fox Cooling & Heating
Make sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Irvine, CA, with AC maintenance from Silver Fox Cooling & Heating. Our crews will carefully examine and service your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Book your appointment by contacting us at 949-997-2201 today!