Your air conditioner is blissful relief on a scorching summer day. When the hot weather arrives in West Palm Beach, FL, nothing feels as satisfying as a pleasantly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer 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, hot weather is when the average household relies on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your cooling system survive the hot weather. This blog will explore how hot weather affects your air conditioner and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while safeguarding your cooling system.
Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather
When it's scorching outside, there's a huge difference between the high outdoor temps and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of energy on the part of your air conditioner, forcing it to operate nonstop to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Affects Air Conditioning Performance
When your cooling system has to run nonstop it operates less efficiently—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Using your air conditioner in extreme heat can put excessive strain on your AC, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to break. The stress from high temperatures also can cause wear and tear on other parts, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.
Why It's So Important to Have the Right Size AC in Your Home
Lowering the chances of your AC shutting down in extreme temps starts with choosing a properly sized AC 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 larger than necessary consume more power and may struggle to dehumidify.
During air conditioning installation at The Air Squad, our trained AC installation experts thoroughly assess your home and your personal cooling needs to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's overall dimensions, floor plan and insulation levels are all carefully reviewed to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.
How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat
One of the most effective strategies to increase air conditioning efficiency during hot summer spells is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our routine tune-ups, qualified professionals inspect your system—checking things like critical parts, electrical wiring and fluid pressure. They also enhance system performance by cleaning out buildup and debris and installing clean filters, reducing strain by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at The Air Squad also inspect for potential issues or brewing problems to fix, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Residents can help safeguard their AC by doing DIY maintenance in hot weather. Activities such as swapping out old AC air filters and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
Common Misconceptions About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures
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 your AC trouble-free during hot weather:
- Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not make your home colder faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter what temperature you set.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. Instead, it lets indoor temps rise and leave your system with extra work when you get back home and turn it on. It's better to lower the temperature 5–10 degrees when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the most effective option. While bigger units have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing temperature swings, moisture buildup and other problems. A properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.
Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Temperatures
Homeowners can take several steps to reduce the risk of an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Raise your thermostat a little higher and run fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do simple AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Shut 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 heat-generating appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside
Avoid Air Conditioning Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from The Air Squad
Ensure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in West Palm Beach, FL, with AC maintenance from The Air Squad. Our crews will carefully inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Book your appointment by reaching out to our team at 561-223-8489 today!