When the temperature soars, you need your AC more than ever. It can be the one thing protecting you and your family from potentially serious heat illness. But a heat wave pushes your AC to its limits. It’s not a coincidence that air conditioning tends to fail on the hottest day, resulting in costly breakdowns. Or, it may not run efficiently, causing your energy bills to join the temperature in the stratosphere. So, let’s talk about AC efficiency during a heat wave.

Here are some tips to help your AC keep up when you need it the most:

1. Replace or Clean Your Air Filter

Air filters should be replaced when the manufacturer recommends them to avoid clogs, and you should consider replacing them more often if you have pets. A clogged or dirty air filter restricts airflow and makes your system work harder than it needs to.

Check your filter every 30 days and clean or replace it as needed to keep air flowing smoothly through your system.

2. Keep Vents and Registers Clear

To have an AC efficiency during a heat wave, you must keep your vents and registers clear of dirt. Ensure all vents are clear of furniture, curtains, rugs, and random items such as pet toys. Even a small item obstructing airflow can throw your entire system off balance, lowering efficiency.

Do regular walk-throughs of your home, especially if you have pets or young children who might move items across the vents.

3. Set a Realistic Thermostat Temperature

Avoid cranking the air conditioner to maintain AC efficiency during a heat wave. It’s very tempting, but setting the temperature too low can result in your AC running nonstop and wasting energy. Aim for 75 to 78°F when you’re home, and bump it up a few degrees when away unless you have temperature-sensitive pets.

Too low a temperature can also make it feel much hotter outside, which isn’t good for your health or comfort. Consider investing in a programmable or smart thermostat so you don’t have to keep adjusting the temperature (and forgetting to do so).

4. Close Blinds and Curtains

Natural light is excellent, but blocking direct sunlight can significantly reduce the indoor temperature. Close shades and curtains during the hottest part of the day, especially on windows that face south or west.

Consider a sun shade that blocks most, but not all, of the sunlight, so you still have some light in your home.

5. Avoid Heat-Generating Activities

On the very hottest days, minimize activities that generate indoor heat. Wash dishes by hand or run the dishwasher in the evening or morning. Do laundry in the evening or morning, and note that with modern detergents, you can reduce the generated high temperature by washing your clothes in hot water.

Don’t run the oven or stove. Cook outside on the grill if you have one. If that isn’t an option, choose food that cooks quickly on the stove and avoid baking. Save the fresh cookies for a cooler day.

6. Seal Leaks and Add Insulation

Hot air can creep in through your windows and doors, or seep in around poorly insulated walls and attics. Adding insulation and sealing leaks works in both directions and helps with year-round comfort as well as keeping your energy bill down.

Caulk windows and replace weather stripping around windows and doors. Replace door brushes. A door snake helps if you have a door with a large gap until you can fix or replace the door.

7. Schedule Preventive Maintenance

Schedule preventive maintenance before heat waves start to hit. A professional tune-up will find any problems and fix them before the temperature hits triple digits. Trained technicians will ensure your system is clean and efficient, has the right amount of refrigerant, etc.

Ensure Your AC Efficiency During a Heat Wave Today

Don’t wait until there’s a heat wave! Take these smart steps now to help your system perform better, last longer, and keep you cool when summer turns into “inferno.”

If you need a professional tune-up, contact Capital City Comfort Solutions now! We can help make sure your system is ready to beat the heat.