Impact of Heat Waves on Your Air Conditioner Performance

It is no secret that climate change is bringing more severe and more frequent heat waves in St. Louis. As temperatures nearing 100 degrees start to look like the new normal, staying cool and keeping family members and pets comfortable has become a priority for St. Louisans. Improving air conditioner performance for optimal comfort is important. But you should know that heat waves can strain your AC and impact its performance. How, then, do you stay cool in the midst of extreme heat waves?

This article has the answers, which are sure to interest you as summer approaches. An immediate action you can take is to have your AC cleaned and inspected by our technician so it doesn’t have to work as hard to keep you cool as temperatures potentially cross record levels.

To schedule your summer AC tune-up or learn more about what you can do to improve AC efficiency and performance, call our heating and air conditioning experts at 314-993-1110 today.

What Happens to Air Conditioner Performance During a Heat Wave?

We no stranger to warm summer days in St. Louis, which are only getting warmer due to a change in average weather patterns and the urban heat island effect created by the city’s concrete, metal, and asphalt infrastructure. In the summer months, St. Louis can be up to 10 degrees warmer than its surrounding areas. Your AC inevitably bears the brunt of the intense heat. Here’s how:

Cooling efficiency reduces as your AC struggles to maintain the desired outdoor temperature.
Residential ACs have a rated BTU capacity that typically allows them to cool a house by about 20 degrees Fahrenheit below the outdoor temperature. If the outside temperature exceeds 100 degrees, your AC will not be able to reduce indoor temperatures below 80 degrees.
Lowering the thermostat won’t make your home cooler; it will only make your AC run longer, potentially causing wear and tear on critical components like the compressor and affecting air conditioner performance. Heat waves can result in longer AC running cycles, making your AC unit run non-stop and increasing wear.

With the facts out of the way, let’s understand what you can do to help your AC’s efficiency and performance during the summer.

Getting the Most Out of Your Air Conditioner During a St. Louis Heat Wave

Scheduling air conditioner maintenance during spring will help your AC (and you) in the summer months. The maintenance and tune-up tasks will improve air conditioner performance and efficiency. Here are some things you can do:

Ensuring optimal refrigerant levels prevents overheating and premature shutdowns.
Replacing a dirty or clogged filter prevents strain on the AC system and ensures effective cooling.
Verifying that the thermostat is functioning correctly and setting the desired temperature for comfort and energy-efficiency is naturally a smart pre-season move.
If you have an older AC model, you should consider upgrading to a new one to enjoy improved air conditioner performance and energy savings.

Simple Ways to Maximize Your Air Conditioner’s Effectiveness as it Struggles Due to Heat Waves

A focus on improving your AC’s efficiency offers the following benefits:

Reduces energy consumption, resulting in lower utility costs.
Drives more reliable operation, which is paramount in the summer months.
Decreases greenhouse gas emissions, helping mitigate climate change responsible for heat waves.

Here are some simple ideas to improve air conditioner performance:

Turn off heat-producing appliances such as dishwashers, stoves, and lights during the hottest part of the day.
Install window films to prevent solar heat from streaming in but letting in natural sunlight for bright and comfortable indoors.
Run a ceiling fan in conjunction with your AC unit. This will reduce strain on your AC and give you a heightened sensation of comfort.

Hopefully, these tips and facts will motivate you to take action before summer hits.

Contact Galmiche & Sons to Improve Air Conditioner Performance

From helping you upgrade to a more energy-efficient and powerful AC to performing repairs, maintenance, or tune-ups that improve air conditioner performance, we help you stay comfortable in the summer months and beyond. Our technicians can inspect your AC and make recommendations that prove extremely useful as the summer weather becomes more severe and problematic.

To schedule HVAC maintenance or service in St. Louis, call us at 314-993-1110 or contact us online today.