The AC unit in your home is a lifesaver on a hot summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Richmond, BC, nothing feels as satisfying as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to wear and tear that causes malfunctions, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause damage to your system—and your budget.
The problem is, hot weather is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your AC unit survive the hot weather. 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 Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather
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 work from your AC unit, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect AC Performance
When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it operates less efficiently—which in turn increases your utility bills. Operating your cooling system 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 equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
Why the Correct Size AC is Important
Lowering the chances of your AC overheating and failing starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a moderate summer day. Units that are larger than necessary waste energy and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at Refrigeration Systems Ltd., 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, number of windows and insulation levels are all taken into account to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During High Heat
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during periods of extreme heat is to schedule expert air conditioning maintenance. During our seasonal AC maintenance visits, trained HVAC technicians thoroughly check your AC—checking things like internal components, connections and fluid pressure. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and swapping out clogged filters, reducing strain by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Refrigeration Systems Ltd. also check for visible damage or brewing problems to address, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing DIY maintenance in hot weather. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.
Common Myths About Cooling Your Home in High Heat
Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in extreme heat. Here are three facts to the most popular misconceptions we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not speed up the cooling process. Your AC will cool your home at a steady pace no matter where you set the thermostat.
- Shutting your AC off completely when you're not home does not improve energy efficiency. Instead, it allows your house to heat up and leave your system with extra work when you get back home and turn it on. It's better to adjust the setting slightly when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- 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 temperature swings, moisture buildup and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized performs more efficiently.
Ways to Help Your HVAC System Handle Extreme Heat
There are many things homeowners can do to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Adjust your thermostat just a bit higher and use fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
- Do routine AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
- Draw blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
- Weatherproof windows and doors to stop cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
- Don't run high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when there are high temps
Avoid Air Conditioning Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Refrigeration Systems Ltd.
Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Richmond, BC, with AC maintenance from Refrigeration Systems Ltd.. Our crews will carefully inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Set up your appointment by calling 778-764-2026 today!
