Your AC is a welcome escape on a hot summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Myrtle Beach, SC, nothing feels as nice as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From reduced efficiency that spikes energy costs to physical strain that causes failures, operating your AC in intense heat 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 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 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 intense heat outside and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of effort on the part of your AC unit, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.
How Extreme Heat Could Affect AC Performance
When your cooling system has to run nonstop it becomes less effective—which in turn increases your utility bills. Running your AC in intense summer weather can put excessive strain on your AC, 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 overheating and failing starts with choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can struggle to cool your home even on a mild day. Units that are oversized aren’t energy-efficient and may fail to perform properly.
During air conditioning installation at Polar Air & Mechanical, our skilled cooling professionals analyze your home’s specific layout and features and your comfort preferences to recommend the right unit for your home. Factors like your home's size, floor plan and insulation levels are all taken into account to make sure your air conditioner has enough power to cool your home efficiently.
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 pre-summer service calls, qualified professionals inspect your system—checking things like critical parts, connections and fluid pressure. They also boost efficiency by cleaning out buildup and debris and replacing dirty air filters, minimizing wear by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Polar Air & Mechanical also check for visible damage or brewing problems to repair, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.
Homeowners can help by doing simple upkeep in warmer months. Activities such as inspecting HVAC filters regularly and clearing debris from the outside unit go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.
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 how low you set the temperature.
- Turning off your air conditioner when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with a bigger job when you get back home and turn it on. It's better to dial the temp back a few degrees when you leave—but still keep the system on.
- Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the most effective option. While high-capacity models have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing temperature swings, high humidity and other problems. A properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.
Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Heat
There are many things homeowners can do to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:
- Adjust your thermostat a little higher and use fans to move air and make the room more comfortable
- Do simple AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
- Shut blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
- Seal windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
- Don't run high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when there are high temps
Reduce Air Conditioning Breakdowns During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Polar Air & Mechanical
Make sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in Myrtle Beach, SC, with AC maintenance from Polar Air & Mechanical. 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 843-484-3783 today!
