Don’t suffer in the Georgia heat! Call Georgia Air at 912-513-3756 for fast AC repair from experienced HVAC professionals.
As a Georgia resident, you know how devastating the southern heat can be. When temperatures creep into the hundreds, stepping outside becomes something to avoid at all costs.
During the hottest days, you rely on your home to be a cool place of relaxation. The last thing you want is for your AC to struggle to keep your home cool, even when you set the thermostat for a comfortable temperature.
Are you wondering why your AC can’t keep up with heat from the outdoors? Check out this list of the five most common reasons for AC issues during a heatwave from the HVAC experts at Georgia Air, the #1 fast air conditioning repair service in Savannah, GA.
Do I Need a New Air Conditioning System?
If your AC unit is having trouble keeping up with the heat, it does not necessarily mean it’s broken and needs replacement. While that could be the case, it’s more likely that your AC is working just fine despite how hot it may feel inside. Keep reading to discover the most likely culprits that make your home stuffy and warm on hot days, even when the AC is running.
#1: Abnormally High Temperatures
When that summer heatwave hits Georgia and temperatures rise into the nineties and hundreds, most residential air conditioning systems struggle to maintain cool temperatures. The abnormally high outdoor heat forces your AC to work nonstop and at a higher level to meet your desired indoor temperature. Cooling down your house in high temperatures can take a lot longer than usual, and your AC might not be able to reach your comfort level.
#2: Air Conditioner Size and Capacity
Even if it’s operating correctly, your air conditioner might struggle in abnormally high temperatures because of its limited size and capacity. Your air conditioning system is likely fit to handle normal Georgia summer heat, as engineers design air conditioners to be as efficient as possible for their specific region and climate.
Installers also choose air conditioners to have a size and capacity to cool homes without wasting energy; you don’t want an oversized unit. So if your air conditioner handled abnormal heatwaves, it wouldn’t run as efficiently in average summer temperatures.
Typically, air conditioners can cool indoor spaces to around 20 degrees lower than the outdoor temperature. That means if it’s 100 degrees outside, your air conditioner may only cool your home to about 80 degrees.
#3: Unreasonable Thermostat Setting
When the outdoor temperature rises to extreme heat and air conditioners struggle, many people rush to set their thermostats as low as possible. Their thinking is often that the lowest thermostat setting will result in as cold an indoor temperature as possible. However, this is not true.
When you set your thermostat to an unreasonably low temperature, your air conditioner begins to work as hard as possible to reach that level. Overworking your AC can result in overheating, malfunctions, and even complete breakdowns. If your AC can’t keep up with heat from the outdoor temperatures, it won’t be able to reach anywhere near the lowest thermostat setting.
Rather than setting your thermostat to its lowest possible temperature, choose an appropriate setting. Somewhere between 72 and 78 degrees will allow your air conditioner to more efficiently and evenly cool your home without overworking itself and risking a breakdown.
#4: Indoor Humidity Level
While often overlooked, the indoor humidity level is crucial to your comfort and how warm it feels inside your home. Your air conditioning system could work perfectly and reach your desired temperature, but your home still feels hot and muggy. If that becomes the case, help your AC out by lowering your indoor humidity.
You have a couple of options for keeping your indoor humidity down. The first option is to purchase a dehumidifier, which is an easy way to monitor and maintain your ideal humidity level. The second option is to use the energy-efficient “dry mode” on your air conditioner.
Whichever option you choose, try to keep your indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent. You may be surprised at how comfortable an indoor temperature in the mid-70s can feel when you keep your indoor humidity in check.
#5: Dirty, Malfunctioning, or Broken Parts
Sometimes, your air conditioner itself isn’t functioning correctly to bring you the cool and comfortable air you desire. A struggling AC unit could point to dirty, malfunctioning, or even broken parts. For example, dirty filters restrict airflow, while a broken condenser coil or air leaks can result in total system malfunctions.
With so many moving parts in your air conditioning system, finding the culprit of your poor AC performance can be complex. When your air conditioner needs maintenance or repairs, trust the job to an expert.
At Georgia Air, our trained and experienced technicians will diagnose any air conditioning problem you have. They’ll check each part, from the AC filters to the condenser coils, and identify the issue. After a quick checkup, our experts will have your air conditioner up and running perfectly again.
Ways to Lower Your Indoor Temperature
We’ve discussed a few ways to help your air conditioner keep your indoor temperature comfortable, like setting your thermostat to a reasonable temperature, checking and adequately maintaining your indoor humidity levels, and calling for maintenance or repairs whenever necessary. However, we recommend these other options if these methods don’t work and your home still feels hot despite a working air conditioning system.
Use Ceiling Fans
Using your air conditioning together with ceiling fans often provides the most comfort. While your AC brings down the temperature inside your home, the ceiling fans continuously circulate a cool breeze that stops you from feeling overheated. Ceiling fans can make any room in your house feel four degrees cooler at any time of day.
Shut Blinds and Curtains
When allowed through your windows, the toasty sun warms your floors and furniture and spreads heat throughout your home. Your AC can’t keep up with heat from the extreme outdoor temperatures and the warm indoors simultaneously.
To help your AC out, shut the blinds as often as possible, especially on the hottest and sunniest days. If your blinds aren’t doing the trick, consider purchasing sunlight-blocking blinds that are adept at keeping homes cool during the summer.
Use Hot Appliances Outside
While standing outside might not sound pleasant, using any hot appliances in your home will increase the indoor temperature. Grills, stovetops, and ovens are the main cooking appliances that often heat homes while in use. On a hot summer day, grilling up dinner on the outdoor grill is a great way to keep your kitchen cool.
Use Large Appliances During Cooler Hours
Large appliances such as your dishwasher and laundry machines can also generate substantial heat. Consider running these in the early morning or at night when temperatures are coolest.
Routinely Change Your Air Filters
Your air filters are parts within your air conditioning system that don’t require professional attention. Instead, you can check your AC filters and change them when necessary. Your air filters are crucial for ensuring proper airflow throughout your home, and that airflow reduces when your filters are dirty.
As AC filters somewhat quickly build up dirt and debris that they’ve filtered out of your air, we recommend changing them at least every three months. This lifespan will ensure you maintain proper and quality airflow. Check your AC unit’s owner’s manual if you are unsure which air filters to purchase.
Check on Your Outdoor AC Unit
Many people forget about their outdoor air conditioning unit altogether. When leaves, dirt, or debris clog your outdoor AC unit, it can struggle to function and provide cool air.
Check your outdoor unit and make sure it’s not blocked by shrubbery or clogged with debris. Try trimming the shrubbery or cleaning out the debris to help it run.
Get More Air Conditioning Tips from Your HVAC Experts
Georgia summers get sweaty, muggy, and scorchingly hot. While your HVAC system may be able to handle the average summer temperatures, your AC can’t keep up with heat and high temperatures from abnormal heat waves. That’s why it’s vital to know the tips and tricks to keep you cool no matter how hot it gets.
At Georgia Air, we’re proud to be your experts for all things HVAC in Savannah, GA. Our technicians have the training, skills, and experience to diagnose and fix any AC problem you may have. Our years serving the Savannah community have given us all the necessary knowledge for staying comfortable during the summer heat. Georgia Air is the HVAC company to call when you need expert advice for remaining cool in 100-degree heat. Know whether it’s alright to run your HVAC all the time or if your systems could benefit from intermittent breaks. Visit our website or give our Georgia Air technicians a call at 912-513-3756 for other helpful tips and tricks if your AC can’t keep up with heat during summer.