Your air conditioner is a lifesaver on a scorching summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Buellton, CA, nothing feels quite so good as a refreshingly cool 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 wear and tear that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in intense heat can cause expensive problems.
The problem is, hot weather is when many homeowners depend on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your cooling system survive the hot weather. This blog will explore ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while safeguarding your cooling system.
Why Your AC Might Struggle to Keep Up
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a major difference between the high outdoor temps and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of energy from your cooling system, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Impacts Air Conditioning Performance
When your cooling system has to run more often, or even constantly it loses efficiency—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Running your AC in on hot days can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to break. The load caused by hot weather also can cause wear and tear on other components, 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 selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a moderate summer day. Units that are oversized waste energy and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning, our skilled cooling professionals carefully evaluate your property and your comfort preferences to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's overall dimensions, number of windows 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 High Heat
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, trained HVAC technicians thoroughly check your AC—checking things like critical parts, electrical wiring and refrigerant levels. They also enhance system performance by cleaning your unit and installing clean filters, reducing strain by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning also check for visible damage or brewing problems to repair, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing basic AC system chores in warmer months. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in helping your system run better.
Common Misunderstandings About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several myths persist about keeping your home cool in high temperatures. 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 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 improve energy efficiency. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with a bigger job when you come home and turn the air back on. It's better to adjust the setting slightly 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 finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing temperature swings, moisture buildup and other performance issues. A right-sized system performs more efficiently.
Strategies to Help Your System Handle Extreme Heat
Homeowners can take several steps to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Set your thermostat just a bit higher and use fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do basic AC upkeep 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 minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather
Reduce Cooling Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Buellton, CA, with AC maintenance from Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning. Our crews will thoroughly examine and service your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Book your appointment by reaching out to our team at 805-691-7554 today!