The AC unit in your home is a welcome escape on a hot summer day. When the summer heat kicks in in Bishop, CA, nothing feels quite so good as a pleasantly air-conditioned home. Unfortunately, running your AC in very high temperatures can have damaging impacts on your HVAC system. From energy inefficiency that runs up your power bills to wear and tear that causes malfunctions, operating your AC in hot weather can cause expensive problems.

The problem is, sweltering heat is when most people really count on their air conditioner to keep their home cool. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to help your cooling system perform under pressure. This blog will cover ways high temperatures affect your AC and summer cooling tips to maintain comfort while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on your AC.

Why Your AC Has Problems Keeping Up in Hot Weather

When it's scorching outside, there's a major difference between the intense heat outside and the cool indoor temperature you desire. Cooling your home down to the desired indoor temperature requires a lot of work from your AC unit, requiring it to run constantly to try to cool down your home.

How Extreme Heat Could Affect Air Conditioning Performance

When your AC unit has to run more often, or even constantly it becomes less effective—which in turn increases your utility bills. Operating your cooling system 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.

The Importance of Proper Sizing of Your AC

Lowering the chances 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 struggle to cool your home even on a mild day. Units that are too big waste energy and may fail to perform properly.

During air conditioning installation at Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning, our trained AC installation experts thoroughly assess your home and your comfort preferences to find the ideal AC 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 the capacity to maintain comfort.

Ways that AC Maintenance Helps Protect Your AC During Extreme Heat

One of the easiest ways to increase your AC efficiency during periods of extreme heat is with routine air conditioning maintenance. During our pre-summer service calls, experienced cooling specialists thoroughly check your AC—checking things like critical parts, electrical wiring and fluid pressure. They also boost efficiency by cleaning your unit and replacing dirty air filters, easing the load by allowing air to move freely through the system. The technicians at Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning 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 the summer heat. Activities such as checking and replacing dirty air filters 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 using your AC effectively in extreme heat. Here are three clarifications to the most common myths we hear about how to keep homes cool in a heatwave:

  1. Setting your thermostat extremely low does not make your home colder 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 save energy. 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 high-capacity models have more power, they can cool a small space too quickly, causing inconsistent temperatures, moisture buildup and other performance issues. A unit that's appropriately sized delivers consistent comfort.

Ways to Help Your System Handle Extreme Temperatures

There's a lot you can do to prevent an AC overload during heatwaves—while also staying comfortable:

  •  Raise your thermostat just a bit higher and use fans to circulate air and make the room more comfortable
  •  Do basic AC upkeep in between professional HVAC maintenance visits like inspecting and replacing air filters, and rinsing outdoor unit coils
  •  Shut blinds and curtains to block out sunlight
  •  Seal windows and doors to prevent cool air from leaking out or hot air getting inside
  •  Don't run heat-generating appliances like ovens, stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers during hot weather

Reduce AC Breakdowns During Hot Weather with AC Maintenance from Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning

Make sure your air conditioner is ready for the hot weather in Bishop, CA, with AC maintenance from Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning. Our crews will carefully check and tune up your unit, making sure it’s operating at peak efficiency. Set up your appointment by calling 760-938-9833 today!