Can Your AC Handle Arizona Heatwaves?

Extreme heat in Arizona is anything over 90 degrees that lasts 2 to 3 days. Urban areas of Arizona often experience greater heat due to the heat stored in concrete and asphalt.

If you live in Arizona, you may be worried about the Arizona heatwaves this year. This is understandable since it can be difficult to keep your home comfortable.

Your HVAC system may struggle to keep up with the extreme heat. Because of this, it is important to take certain steps to prepare your AC.

Keep reading to find out if your AC can handle Arizona heatwaves.

Why Does Your AC Struggle During Heatwaves?

If you use your AC during heatwaves, you may notice a difference in how it works. This is very common when it comes to times of extreme heat.

This happens because an AC system can only handle so much heat. And AC is fighting with the outdoor temperature to keep your home cool as the temperature rises.

Most AC units can only keep your home at a certain temperature below the outdoor temperature. It will struggle to do its job if the outdoor temperature is very high.

For example, if it is 90° outside, the AC probably won’t be able to cool your home below 70°. Even if this system runs constantly, it can only blow out so much cold air.

How to Keep Your Home Cool During a Heatwave

You may be worried about going through the summer Arizona heatwaves. There are different heatwave tips that you can use to ensure that your home will stay cool.

This is important not only for your comfort but for your AC. You want to be able to use it in a way that is efficient and won’t wear the system out.

Change the Filter

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have changed the filter. For most HVAC systems, you should change the filter every 2 to 3 months.

This may also vary depending on the time of year when you change the filter. Sometimes more dust and debris may go through the system that is dirty in the filter.

Using a dirty filter will clog all of the channels of your AC. This reduces airflow and makes the AC system work harder to push out the cold air.

That is why changing the filter is something you need to be doing all year long. It is important whether you are using heating or cooling.

Get a Tune-Up

You should be working with a reputable Arizona HVAC service for your home. This is especially important when it comes to Arizona heatwaves.

Before rising temperatures, you should schedule an AC maintenance appointment. A professional can come and give your system a tune-up to see if anything is wrong.

They will be able to test the performance and inspect the system. If necessary, they can clean it and make repairs.

This is the best way to determine if your AC is ready for the extreme heat of an Arizona summer. You can also ask for recommendations on how to use your AC efficiently.

Check the Vents

Something easy to forget about is your air vents. Depending on your home, you may have air vents you do not usually use.

These may be events over beds or tables where you don’t necessarily want air blowing. The problem with closing vents is that this reduces how much cool air goes into your home.

You should check these events during the summer to ensure they are open. This will help your system not work as hard since there aren’t as many obstructions.

It will also ensure that your home is being cooled evenly throughout the house. This is also a good time to look inside the vents to see if they are dirty.

If debris is collecting in the vents, you should take a vacuum to try to suck it out. Anything obstructing the vents will make your AC work harder, producing less cool air.

Don’t Set It Too Low

As mentioned above, your AC can only cool your home so much. Because of this, you want to be realistic when you are setting the temperature.

Try to set your temperature no more than 20°-30° below the outdoor temperature. This is a safe option for most AC units without running the risk of freezing the system.

This will help your system to run efficiently, keeping your home as cool as possible. Lowering the temperature will only make the AC work harder without getting the desired results.

Use Other Cooling Methods

If you have other cooling methods in your home, you should use these. This could be anything from ceiling fans to window AC units.

Anything you can do to help your HVAC system will be useful. This will help lower the home’s temperature, helping your AC to have less work.

Arizona Heatwaves: Keeping Your Home Cool

If you are facing the Arizona heatwaves this year, there are a few things you should do. To make sure your AC is up to the task, you need to have a check-up.

If necessary, changing the filter and cleaning the vents is also a good idea.

Do you want to have an HVAC service check on your AC system?

Contact us today at Mark Daniels Air Conditioning & Heating to request a service.

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Looking to keep your home cool and comfortable during the Arizona heatwaves? By following these tips and relying on our top-notch “sun lakes air conditioning repair services,” you’ll be well-prepared to beat the heat. At Mark Daniels AC., We have been providing AC services in Chandler and surrounding areas since 1996. Call  (480) 571-7219 or request service online today!

 

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