Your AC is a welcome escape on a blazing afternoon. When the summer heat kicks in in Dresden, ON, nothing feels quite so good as a pleasantly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to mechanical stress that causes malfunctions, operating your AC in intense heat can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when most people really count 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 cover ways high temperatures affect your AC 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 extremely hot outside, there's a huge difference between the hot outdoor temperature and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of energy from your AC unit, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Impacts AC Performance
When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it operates less efficiently—which in turn increases your utility bills. Using your air conditioner in intense summer weather can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. The load caused by hot weather also can cause wear and tear on other parts, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.
Why the Correct Size AC is Important
Reducing the risk of your AC shutting down in extreme temps starts with choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can struggle to cool your home even on a mild day. Units that are larger than necessary aren’t energy-efficient and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at McFadden Heating & Cooling, our skilled cooling professionals thoroughly assess your home and your personal cooling needs to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, room configuration and insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During a Heatwave
One of the easiest ways to increase your AC efficiency during periods of extreme heat is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, experienced cooling specialists inspect your system—checking things like internal components, electrical wiring and coolant amounts. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and swapping out clogged filters, minimizing wear by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at McFadden Heating & Cooling also check for visible damage or brewing problems to repair, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing basic AC system chores in hot weather. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Misconceptions About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in hot weather. Here are three clarifications to the most common myths we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not make your home colder faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter how low you set the temperature.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not improve energy efficiency. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with a bigger job when you return and restart the system. It's better to lower the temperature 5–10 degrees 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 bigger units have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing temperature swings, high humidity and other problems. A right-sized system performs more efficiently.
Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Temperatures
There's a lot you can do to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Adjust your thermostat just a bit higher and use fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do simple AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Weatherproof 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 there are high temps
Reduce AC Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from McFadden Heating & Cooling
Make sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Dresden, ON, with AC maintenance from McFadden Heating & Cooling. 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 519-683-2339 today!
