Your air conditioner is blissful relief on a blazing afternoon. When the temperatures rise in Reinholds, PA, nothing feels as nice as a pleasantly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in intense summer heat can have harmful consequences on your HVAC system. From increased energy usage to wear and tear that causes breakdowns, operating your AC in intense heat 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 simple things you can do to help your AC unit perform under pressure. This blog will cover 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 scorching outside, there's a huge difference between the high outdoor temps and the comfortably chilled air you want in your home. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of work on the part of your AC unit, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.

How Extreme Heat Impacts AC Performance

When your air conditioner has to work extra hard in high heat it loses efficiency—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Running your AC in on hot days 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.

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 selecting the right size air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner that's undersized can work harder than necessary to cool your home even on a moderate summer day. Units that are too big aren’t energy-efficient and may cause uneven cooling or high humidity.

During air conditioning installation at County Line Mechanical LLC, 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 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 Extreme 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, qualified professionals evaluate the entire unit—checking things like key mechanical elements, connections and fluid pressure. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, reducing strain by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at County Line Mechanical LLC also check for visible damage or brewing problems to fix, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.

You can make a difference 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 helping your system run better.

Common Misunderstandings About Cooling Your Home in High Heat

Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in hot weather. Here are three facts to the most common myths we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:

  1. Setting your thermostat extremely low does not cool your home faster. Your AC operates at a fixed rate no matter where you set the thermostat.
  2. Shutting your AC off completely when you're not home does not reduce your utility bills. Instead, it gives heat a chance to build and leave your system with more to do when you return and restart the system. It's better to adjust the setting slightly when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
  3. Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the smartest solution. While large systems have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing temperature swings, high humidity and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized cools your home better.

Strategies to Help Your AC Handle Extreme Heat

Homeowners can take several steps to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also keeping cool:

  •  Raise your thermostat a few degrees higher and use fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
  •  Do simple AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like checking and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
  •  Shut blinds and curtains to keep 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 during hot weather

Avoid AC Problems in Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from County Line Mechanical LLC

Be sure your air conditioner is all set for the hot weather in Reinholds, PA, with AC maintenance from County Line Mechanical LLC. Our crews will thoroughly inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Schedule your appointment by reaching out to our team at 717-583-8648 today!