Your AC is a lifesaver on a hot summer day. When the summer heat kicks in in Manassas Park, VA, 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 energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to wear and tear that causes failures, operating your AC in hot weather can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your cooling system make it through the heat. This blog will explore how hot weather affects your air conditioner and summer cooling tips to help you stay cool while safeguarding your cooling system.
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 comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of effort on the part of your AC unit, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects Air Conditioning Performance
When your air conditioner has to work extra hard in high heat it operates less efficiently—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Using your air conditioner in intense summer weather can overload your cooling system, 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 the Correct Size AC is Important
Reducing the risk of your AC overheating and failing starts with selecting the right size air conditioner 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 larger than necessary waste energy and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Woody's Sudden Service, 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 square footage, number of windows and insulation levels are all carefully reviewed 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 smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during hot summer spells is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, experienced cooling specialists thoroughly check your AC—checking things like critical parts, electrical wiring and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and installing clean filters, easing the load by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Woody's Sudden Service also check for visible damage or brewing problems to repair, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing basic AC system chores 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 enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Myths About Air Conditioning Homes During Heatwaves
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three clarifications to the most common myths we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not cool your home faster. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter how low you set the temperature.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it lets indoor temps rise and leave your system with more to do when you return and restart the system. It's better to dial the temp back a few degrees when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Selecting a larger-than-needed AC unit for your home isn’t the most effective option. 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 System Handle Extreme Temperatures
Homeowners can take several steps to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:
- Raise your thermostat a little higher and turn on fans to move air and make the room feel cooler
- Do simple AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Close blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run high-heat appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Reduce Cooling Issues During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Woody's Sudden Service
Be sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Manassas Park, VA, with AC maintenance from Woody's Sudden Service. Our crews will carefully examine and service your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Set up your appointment by reaching out to our team at 703-291-0095 today!