The Effects of High Temperatures on Your AC

In Utah, we have had one of the hottest summers with severe heat waves. With streaks of hot weather averaging above 90 degrees since the beginning of June, you are probably already feeling some of the effects of the extreme heat.

Not only will you feel the effects when you take the kids to the park, but your air conditioner will experience it while you’re cooling off at home.

Air conditioners are a type of “heat pump”. That means they transfer heat from one place to another (from inside your house to outside). Normally, heat travels from a hotter area to cooler area so it naturally enters your home on a hot day. The air conditioner works to remove this heat and discharges it to the air outside.

The hotter the outdoor temperature, the harder your AC has to work. One of the effects of high heat is a drop in efficiency.

Your air conditioner efficiency drops when it has to work harder to cool your home, costing you money as your electricity consumption rises.

Since your air conditioner has to work harder and longer, it’s inevitable that the lifespan of the unit will be reduced. Moving parts like the fan motor and compressor components burn out quicker and your AC needs more thorough maintenance to reduce and postpone total failure.

To help improve your air conditioner’s performance locate your outdoor air conditioner in a shady area, preferably with trees nearby, and that will allow it to run at a cooler temperature than the surrounding air. Setting the temperature inside your home to a slightly higher temperature, like 76°F (24°C) instead of the usual 72°F (22°C), will allow your unit to work less. If it’s still too warm, combine your air conditioner with other means of cooling, like a standing fan or ice packs.

If your unit is close to its end of life, consider replacing it sooner. You will have the benefit of a unit that’s more efficient and will reduce the risk of sudden failure on the hottest day.

Keep your AC in the best shape
Give us a call at Western Heating & Air Conditioning if you need us to assess whether your air conditioner can handle the heat this summer. Utah’s Most Wanted Techs are ready to help keep you cool during the worst of heat waves that are yet to come.