When the outdoor temperatures reach the triple digits and your residential air conditioner struggles to keep your home cool, it's easy to think there's something wrong with the HVAC system. However, it is more often the case that the system just can't handle the excessive heat without some proactive intervention by you. And, this is ultimately a great thing because it means you won't have any expensive air conditioner repair or replacement bills!
To keep your home cooler during heat waves, follow each of these tips.
Tip: Don't Use Any Heat-Generating Appliances During the Daytime Hours
In addition to keeping your air conditioner running at its maximum efficiency, there are many other things you can do to keep your home cooler. One of the most important is to avoid the use of heat-generating appliances during the heat of the day.
When it's hot outside, running your stove, clothes washer, or dishwasher will add heat into your living space that your air conditioner will struggle to remove.
Tip: Change the HVAC Filter for Maximum Airflow Through the System
The filter in your home's HVAC system serves the purpose of keeping dust and dirt out of its internal parts. As the filter becomes clogged, it prevents adequate airflow through the system. And, when you are trying to cool your home on really hot days, you need as much air flowing as possible!
To ensure everything is flowing at its maximum level, change your HVAC system's filter on a regular basis.
Tip: Don't Set the Thermostat Really Low
While you may be tempted to set the thermostat on a really low temperature to keep the HVAC system running and really cool down the house, this just isn't as effective as you might believe. In reality, trying to cool your home more than twenty or thirty degrees colder than it is outside just isn't possible. All setting the thermostat really low will do is freeze up the air conditioner's coils and make it struggle unnecessarily.
Instead of trying to force your air conditioner to cool too much, work within its abilities by setting the thermostat a bit higher when it's excessively hot outdoors.
Tip: Have Your HVAC System Checked Out by a Professional
If you've followed each of these tips and your air conditioner is still seriously struggling when the heat outside hits the triple digits, then it's a good idea to have the air conditioner and HVAC system checked out by a professional air conditioner repair technician.
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