Your AC is blissful relief on a blazing afternoon. When the summer heat kicks in in Wausau, WI, nothing feels as satisfying as a refreshingly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to physical strain 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 stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your cooling system survive the hot weather. This blog will discuss ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to help you stay cool while protecting your HVAC system from damage.
Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather
When it's extremely hot outside, there's a significant gap between the hot outdoor temperature and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of energy from your AC unit, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects Air Conditioning Performance
When your AC unit has to run nonstop it operates less efficiently—which in turn increases your utility bills. Running your AC in on hot days 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
Reducing the risk of your AC overheating and failing starts with choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a moderate summer day. Units that are too big waste energy and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.
During air conditioning installation at Gilray Heating and Cooling, our experienced HVAC technicians thoroughly assess your home and your personal cooling needs to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's overall dimensions, floor plan and insulation levels are all taken into account to make sure your air conditioner has the capacity to maintain comfort.
Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the easiest ways to increase your AC efficiency during hot summer spells is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, qualified professionals evaluate the entire unit—checking things like critical parts, connections and fluid pressure. They also boost efficiency by cleaning out buildup and debris and replacing dirty air filters, reducing strain by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Gilray Heating and Cooling also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to fix, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing DIY maintenance in warmer months. Activities such as inspecting HVAC filters regularly and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Misconceptions About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three truths to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:
- Setting your thermostat extremely low does not make your home colder faster. Your AC will cool your home at a steady pace no matter how low you set the temperature.
- Powering down your AC unit when you're not home does not save energy. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with extra work when you come home and turn the air back on. It's better to adjust the setting slightly when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the smartest solution. While large systems have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing temperature swings, high humidity and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized delivers consistent comfort.
Ways to Help Your Cooling System 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 just a bit higher and run fans to circulate air and make the room more comfortable
- Do basic AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to prevent 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
Reduce Air Conditioning Issues During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Gilray Heating and Cooling
Make sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Wausau, WI, with AC maintenance from Gilray Heating and Cooling. Our crews will carefully check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Book your appointment by contacting us at 715-515-7221 today!