Your air conditioner is a lifesaver on a hot summer day. When the temperatures rise in Rapid City, SD, nothing feels as nice as a refreshingly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to mechanical stress that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in hot weather can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, sweltering heat is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help your air conditioner 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 avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your AC.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's scorching outside, there's a significant gap between the high outdoor temps and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of effort on the part of your cooling system, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect AC Performance
When your air conditioner has to run nonstop it operates less efficiently—which in turn increases your utility bills. Running your AC in extreme heat can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. The stress from high temperatures 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
Lowering the chances of your AC breaking down in high heat starts with choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can have trouble ensuring your comfort 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 Precision Mechanical, our skilled cooling professionals analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your comfort preferences to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's size, number of windows and insulation levels are all carefully reviewed to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during heat waves is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, experienced cooling specialists thoroughly check your AC—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and fluid pressure. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and swapping out clogged filters, easing the load by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Precision Mechanical 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 the summer heat. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in helping your system run better.
Common Misconceptions About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three facts to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Lowering the temperature way down does not speed up the cooling process. Your AC will cool your home at a steady pace no matter what temperature you set.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it allows your house to heat up and leave your system with extra work when you return and restart the system. It's better to adjust the setting slightly when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the smartest solution. While bigger units have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing temperature swings, high humidity and other problems. A right-sized system cools your home better.
Ways to Help Your AC Handle Extreme Heat
Homeowners can take several steps to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Set your thermostat a few degrees higher and run fans to move air and make the room feel cooler
- Do simple AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
- Don't run heat-generating appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Avoid Air Conditioning Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Precision Mechanical
Ensure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Rapid City, SD, with AC maintenance from Precision Mechanical. Our crews will thoroughly examine and service your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Schedule your appointment by reaching out to our team at 605-702-0850 today!
