Your AC is a welcome escape on a scorching summer day. When the temperatures rise in Sarasota, FL, nothing feels as nice as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to physical strain that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in intense heat can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your air conditioner survive the hot weather. This blog will cover how hot weather affects your air conditioner 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 scorching outside, there's a major difference between the hot outdoor temperature and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of effort from your air conditioner, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect AC Performance
When your AC unit has to work extra hard in high heat it loses efficiency—which in turn increases your utility bills. Running your AC in intense summer weather can push your system too hard, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to stop working. 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 shutting down in extreme temps starts with selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can struggle to cool your home even on a mild day. Units that are larger than necessary waste energy and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at Airtech Cooling & Heating, our trained AC installation experts carefully evaluate your property and your comfort preferences to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's size, floor plan and insulation levels are all carefully reviewed 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 smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during heat waves is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, qualified professionals evaluate the entire unit—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and coolant amounts. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and installing clean filters, reducing strain by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Airtech Cooling & Heating also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to repair, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
You can make a difference 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 helping your system run better.
Common Misunderstandings About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in hot weather. Here are three clarifications to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to stay comfortable during a heatwave:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not speed up the cooling process. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter what temperature you set.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not improve energy efficiency. Instead, it lets indoor temps rise 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 leave your AC running.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit for your home isn’t the best choice. While high-capacity models have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing temperature swings, moisture buildup and other problems. A right-sized system delivers consistent comfort.
Strategies to Help Your AC Handle Extreme Heat
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 run fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do basic AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and cleaning 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 high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Avoid Air Conditioning Issues During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Airtech Cooling & Heating
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Sarasota, FL, with AC maintenance from Airtech Cooling & Heating. Our crews will thoroughly examine and service your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Set up your appointment by reaching out to our team at 941-377-7956 today!