Did you know that the cooling ability of your air conditioner is affected as the outdoor temperature rises? In fact, the outside temperature may lead to air conditioner failure if you have an older, undersized, or less-efficient system. Learn more about how the rising outdoor heat affects your system’s cooling ability and what you can do to battle the outside weather.
The Effect of Outside Temperature on Your Air Conditioner’s Cooling Ability
The refrigerant in your air conditioner changes into a gas that absorbs heat from your home’s air and moves it outside. When the outside temperatures are lower than the refrigerant, heat flows from the fluid to the outdoor air. The air-conditioning cycle requires outside temperatures to be lower than that of the heat your AC unit is releasing. When the high-temperature refrigerant releases heat into the air outside, the refrigerant turns into a liquid.
When the temperature of the outside air increases, your AC compressor works harder and consumes more energy to create cold air for your home. The hotter the outdoor temperature is, the harder your air conditioner will have to work to achieve your preferred indoor temperature.
An older AC system needing maintenance will have more difficulty running in hotter temperatures. Extreme heat outside will not only make such a system use so much energy but could also push it into failure. As a result, if your system is 12 years old or older, you should consider replacing it.
You can also optimize your system’s efficiency by keeping up with routine maintenance. Having your system tuned up before the start of the cooling season helps increase the system’s performance and overall energy usage. Extreme temperatures make your air conditioner run constantly, so your air filters will be clogged quicker than usual. Therefore, replace your filters at least once every month during extreme conditions.
Maintain your air conditioner regularly to battle the outside weather. To learn more about improving your system’s cooling ability, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide AC installation, repair, and maintenance services to homeowners in the Lorain area.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area