Your AC is a welcome escape on a scorching summer day. When the hot weather arrives in Johnston, IA, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to mechanical stress that causes failures, operating your AC in extreme temperatures can cause damage to your system—and your budget.

The problem is, oppressive heat is when many homeowners depend 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 help you stay cool while safeguarding your cooling system.

Why Your AC May Not Keep Up with the Heat

When it's very hot outdoors, there's a major difference between the intense heat outside and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Bridging the temperature gap requires a lot of effort on the part of your AC unit, forcing it to operate nonstop to try to cool down your home.

How Extreme Heat Affects AC Performance

When your AC unit has to work extra hard in high heat it becomes less effective—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Using your air conditioner in intense summer weather can overload your cooling system, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. The load caused by hot weather also can cause wear and tear on other components, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.

Why the Correct Size AC is Important

Reducing the risk of your AC overheating and failing starts with choosing a properly sized AC for your home. An air conditioner that's too small can struggle to cool your home even on a moderate summer day. Units that are too big consume more power and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.

During air conditioning installation at Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling, our skilled cooling professionals thoroughly assess your home and your personal cooling needs to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's size, room configuration and insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.

Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During High Heat

One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during periods of extreme heat is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, trained HVAC technicians inspect your system—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and installing clean filters, minimizing wear by improving airflow through the system. The technicians at Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling also look for any signs of wear or brewing problems to repair, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.

You can make a difference by doing DIY maintenance in warmer months. Activities such as swapping out old AC air filters and making sure the coils on the outdoor unit are clean go a long way in enabling the unit to operate efficiently.

Common Misunderstandings About Cooling Your Home in High Heat

Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in high temperatures. Here are three clarifications to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to stay comfortable during a heatwave:

  1. Drastically lowering the temperature setting does not make your home colder faster. Your AC runs at the same speed no matter where you set the thermostat.
  2. 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 come home and turn the air back on. It's better to lower the temperature 5–10 degrees when you leave—but still keep the system on.
  3. Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the best choice. While bigger units have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing temperature swings, moisture buildup and other problems. A properly-sized AC delivers consistent comfort.

Strategies to Help Your System Handle Extreme Heat

There are many things homeowners can do to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:

  •  Raise your thermostat a few degrees higher and turn on fans to circulate air and make the room more comfortable
  •  Do simple AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
  •  Draw blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
  •  Seal windows and doors to stop cool air from leaking out or hot air entering the home
  •  Don't run heat-generating appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside

Reduce Cooling Issues in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling

Be sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Johnston, IA, with AC maintenance from Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling. Our crews will thoroughly inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Book your appointment by contacting us at 515-278-2900 today!