Your air conditioner is a welcome escape on a blazing afternoon. When the hot weather arrives in Justin, TX, nothing feels as satisfying as a pleasantly 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 wear and tear that causes malfunctions, operating your AC in hot weather can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, oppressive heat is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your air conditioner survive the hot weather. This blog will discuss ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to keep you comfortable while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's extremely hot outside, 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 work from your cooling system, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect AC Performance
When your air conditioner has to work extra hard in high heat it loses efficiency—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 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.
The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC
Reducing the risk of your AC overheating and failing starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a slightly warm afternoon. Units that are too big waste energy and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Pepper AC & Heat, our trained AC installation experts analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your comfort preferences to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's size, floor plan and insulation levels are all evaluated 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 hot summer spells is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, qualified professionals inspect your system—checking things like internal components, connections and refrigerant levels. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and swapping out clogged filters, easing the load by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Pepper AC & Heat also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to fix, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
You can make a difference by doing DIY maintenance in warmer months. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty 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 Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in extreme heat. Here are three clarifications to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not cool your home faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter where you set the thermostat.
- 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 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 smartest solution. While high-capacity models have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing temperature swings, moisture buildup and other problems. A right-sized system cools your home better.
Strategies to Help Your Air Conditioning Handle Extreme Temperatures
There are many things homeowners can do to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home:
- Set your thermostat a little higher and turn on fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do simple AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to reduce heat gain from sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- 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 Pepper AC & Heat
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Justin, TX, with AC maintenance from Pepper AC & Heat. Our crews will carefully inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Book your appointment by reaching out to our team at 940-305-6803 today!
