The inside of our homes is the reprieve that we rely on when summer temperatures spike. With that said, we can’t be the only ones who notice that once we reach certain temperatures or environmental conditions become harsh, our AC performance starts to decline. This happens for a reason, and knowing why it happens is half the battle, giving you the knowledge you need to act and fix it. Here’s how weather and climate affect air conditioner performance, as well as some tips about what to do to make sure your home is cool and comfortable.
How Do Weather and Climate Affect AC Performance?
Let us preface this by saying that there are two things that are going to affect your AC performance when it comes to weather and climate: high temperatures and humidity. For the most part, your air conditioner probably won’t struggle too much when temperatures are warm but not overwhelmingly hot. Once you reach temperatures of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or above, all bets are off. Extremely high temperatures make it more difficult for your AC to pump heat outside.
What if it’s also humid? In the case of high humidity, the same applies. The AC must try to filter out humidity, and as a result, your AC becomes less effective at cooling your home.
Can It Have a Major Impact on Your AC?
You should be focused on AC performance in the short-term. After all, most of us really only care about being comfortable. If the AC isn’t doing its job, we’re unhappy and need to fix that immediately. But aside from performance, it’s also important to know that these types of conditions are actively wearing down your AC. Because your AC has to work harder to try to keep your home cool, it puts stress on the system. If you’re not careful and don’t do anything to address the performance issues (and by extension, the wear and tear problem), you could end up with an AC failure problem that leaves you without air conditioning when you need it most.
What Can You Do About It?
Performance issues due to weather and climate can be addressed. The first thing we always recommend doing is reaching out to an HVAC expert prior to the summer so that they can inspect your unit and make any necessary tune-ups or repairs. This will ensure that your HVAC system can perform at its best. Try to keep your unit free of any debris and shaded if at all possible. You should also look for ways to improve the insulation in your home and keep the sun out during the day so that it stays cooler inside with fewer challenges.
Weather and climate can have a larger impact on your AC than you know. Understanding why conditions can be detrimental to your AC and how to properly respond will help you deal with the problem effectively. If you live in Brunswick, GA or a surrounding area and need AC maintenance services, make your first call to Hendrix Air.
