Your AC is a lifesaver on a blazing afternoon. When the summer heat kicks in in East Bernard, TX, nothing feels quite so good as a pleasantly cool home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have negative effects on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to wear and tear that causes failures, operating your AC in hot weather 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 practical ways to help your AC unit perform under pressure. This blog will explore the effects of summer heat on cooling systems and summer cooling tips to keep you comfortable while protecting your HVAC system from damage.

Why Your AC May Not Keep Up with the Heat

When it's extremely hot outside, there's a huge 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 air conditioner, making it cycle continuously to try to cool down your home.

How Extreme Heat Could Affect Air Conditioning Performance

When your air conditioner has to run nonstop it becomes less effective—which in turn drives up your energy expenses. Running your AC in extreme heat can push your system too hard, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to break. The stress from high temperatures also can cause wear and tear on other components, leading to equipment failure that require air conditioning repair.

Why It's So Important to Have the Right Size AC in Your Home

Reducing the risk 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 mild day. Units that are oversized waste energy and may struggle to dehumidify.

During air conditioning installation at E.B. Air, our skilled cooling professionals carefully evaluate your property and your comfort preferences to choose the best-cooling system for your home. Factors like your home's square footage, number of windows and insulation levels are all evaluated to make sure your air conditioner has what it takes to handle summer heat effectively.

How AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During a Heatwave

One of the smartest ways to boost air conditioner effectiveness during heat waves is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our routine tune-ups, qualified professionals inspect your system—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 improving airflow through the system. The technicians at E.B. Air also check for visible damage or brewing problems to fix, which can help avoid mid-season failures during extreme heat.

You can make a difference by doing simple upkeep in warmer months. Activities such as inspecting HVAC filters regularly and cleaning the outdoor coils go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.

Common Myths About Staying Cool in Extreme Temperatures

Several myths persist about using your AC effectively in extreme heat. Here are three truths to the most common myths we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:

  1. Lowering the temperature way down does not cool your home faster. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter what temperature you set.
  2. Turning off your air conditioner 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 return and restart the system. It's better to dial the temp back a few degrees when you leave—but still keep the system on.
  3. Choosing an air conditioner that's too big for your home isn’t the smartest solution. While high-capacity models have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing temperature swings, high humidity and other problems. A right-sized system cools your home better.

Strategies to Help Your Air Conditioning Handle Extreme Temperatures

Homeowners can take several steps to avoid an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:

  •  Adjust your thermostat a little 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 inspecting and replacing air filters, and cleaning outdoor unit coils
  •  Shut blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
  •  Weatherproof windows and doors to minimize cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
  •  Don't run heat-generating appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when there are high temps

Reduce Air Conditioning Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from E.B. Air

Make sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in East Bernard, TX, with AC maintenance from E.B. Air. Our crews will carefully check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Book your appointment by calling 979-335-4262 today!