Your AC is a lifesaver on a blazing afternoon. When the summer heat kicks in in San Leandro, CA, nothing feels as nice as a refreshingly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in extreme heat can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From reduced efficiency that spikes energy costs to wear and tear 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 stay comfortable. Fortunately, there are practical ways to help your cooling system perform under pressure. This blog will explore how hot weather affects your air conditioner and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while protecting your HVAC system from damage.

Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather

When it's extremely hot outside, there's a huge difference between the hot outdoor temperature and the ideal indoor climate you expect. Closing that difference between the two temperatures requires a lot of energy from your air conditioner, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.

How Extreme Heat Affects AC Performance

When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it loses efficiency—which in turn raises your electricity costs. Using your air conditioner in extreme heat can push your system too hard, especially the compressor, possibly causing damage or for it to fail entirely. The stress from high temperatures also can cause wear and tear on other parts, leading to mechanical issues that require air conditioning repair.

Why the Correct Size AC is Important

Reducing the risk of your AC shutting down in extreme temps starts with picking the correct size AC system for your home. An air conditioner that's not powerful enough can have trouble ensuring your comfort even on a mild day. Units that are oversized consume more power and may fail to perform properly.

During air conditioning installation at Contra Costa Heating & AC, our skilled cooling professionals thoroughly assess your home and your comfort preferences to find the ideal AC for your home. Factors like your home's overall dimensions, number of windows 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 High Heat

One of the easiest ways to increase your AC efficiency during periods of extreme heat is to invest in professional air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, trained HVAC technicians thoroughly check your AC—checking things like key mechanical elements, electrical wiring and coolant amounts. They also boost efficiency by cleaning out buildup and debris and swapping out clogged filters, reducing strain by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Contra Costa Heating & AC also check for visible damage or brewing problems to fix, which can help prevent avoidable breakdowns during extreme heat.

Homeowners can help by doing basic AC system chores in hot weather. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters and making sure the coils on the outdoor unit are clean go a long way in maintaining optimal performance.

Common Misunderstandings About Cooling Your Home in High Heat

Several misconceptions exist about keeping your home cool in high temperatures. Here are three truths to the most frequent misunderstandings we hear about how to keep your AC trouble-free during hot weather:

  1. Setting your thermostat extremely low does not make your home colder 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 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 lower the temperature 5–10 degrees when you leave—but still leave your AC running.
  3. Installing an oversized AC for your home isn’t the best choice. While large systems have more power, they can finish cooling quickly and shut off too soon, causing uneven cooling, moisture buildup and other problems. A properly-sized AC cools your home better.

Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Temperatures

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

  •  Set your thermostat a little higher and run fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler
  •  Do simple AC chores in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and hosing off outdoor unit coils
  •  Shut blinds and curtains to keep out sunlight
  •  Weatherproof windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air getting in
  •  Don't run high-heat appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers when it's hot outside

Avoid Cooling Problems During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Contra Costa Heating & AC

Be sure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot weather in San Leandro, CA, with AC maintenance from Contra Costa Heating & AC. Our crews will carefully inspect and clean your unit, making sure it’s running at its best. Schedule your appointment by calling 510-916-2218 today!