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While some places may receive more weather than others, it is not uncommon for every location to receive at least some type of inclement weather at some point in time. Not only can this put a damper on your plans and your mood, but this can also affect your HVAC system. Here are some ways that this can happen and what to do about it.

Damage on Outdoor Unit

Whether it is involving a tornado or not, frequently big storms can come with heavy gusts of wind. This could result in branches or even entire trees falling down. If these types of debris or any other type of falling item manages to come in contact with your outside unit, it could cause significant damage. This damage could sometimes be enough to cause your unit to stop working or break.

To try and avoid this from happening, here are some steps you can take:

  • Keep your tree branches trimmed
  • The fewer or shorter branches you have, the less likely they will fall on your unit
  • Secure loose items in event of a storm
  • Put away chairs or anything that can easily be carried by wind when you hear of a storm coming
  • Ensure no large items are near your unit
  • Cut down any large trees that can fall on your unit or remove anything large close to your unit

Hail, if large and heavy enough, can fall and cause damage to your unit as well. It could result in denting to the outside metal of the unit. There is even the possibility of lightning striking the unit as well. Some things are preventable, others are not, but we can do as much as we can to keep this unit in good condition. These units can be thousands of dollars, so keeping them functioning is in your best interest.

The Temperature Affects Your Thermostat

Believe it or not, the outside temperature actually has an effect on the performance of your thermostat. When we experience a really hot day, the compressor has to work hard to create cold air inside of the house. The warmer it is outside, the harder your air conditioning is going to have to work to keep the proper temperature inside your house.

While everyone has different preferences on what temperature they would like their house to be and we cannot tell you what temperature to set your thermostat on, it is advised to try and not have the temperature inside your house set TOO much different from what is outside. The cooler you set it in the summer and the warmer you set it in the winter, the harder it will have to work. In summer, try using fans, and in winter, wrap up with some warm blankets or sweaters.

The ideal summer temperature is apparently 78 degrees, while the ideal winter temperature is 68 degrees. This is set based on what the average temperature outside the house is. Like we said before, the bigger the difference in temperatures, the harder your unit will have to work. To avoid having to fix or replace your unit, set your thermostat as high or as low as you can stand it.

Lots of Rain

While we may experience showers all year long, it is especially common to receive them in the month of April. Ever heard the saying, “April Showers Bring May Flowers”? What do they say about April showers bringing to your HVAC unit? It’s surely not flowers. Your unit should be able to withstand heavy rain, but it is a good idea to watch out for flooding. Flooding can result in your unit experiencing long term damage from the stagnant water sitting on and around it.

While there is unfortunately no way to prevent large amounts of rain, come up with a plan in case of flooding. Contact your local HVAC repair team and ask them what would be needed if your unit received damage in the event of flooding. Also make sure you have the best team of experts on standby in case your unit does need work done on it after flooding or heavy rain.

Ice & Snow

Similar to rain, normal snow fall is not harmful to your unit. Although, like flooding, if large amounts of snow are piled up around your unit, you could possibly see a problem in your near future. A large amount of snow piled around your unit could result in moisture damage to the components, or it could even block the system’s airflow.To try and prevent any further issues in the event of large amounts of snow, make sure and remove the snow around your unit. This can be done with a shovel. In the event of an ice storm, contact your local HVAC experts to see if there’s anything to help prevent ice buildup on your system, or what to do to remove it.

Overworking on Hot Days

Did you know that your AC removes the heat instead of cooling the air? The hotter that it is outside, the more your unit cuts on and has to use refrigerant to circulate, absorb heat from inside and transfer it outside. To try and keep your HVAC system in the best condition possible, here are some tips on maximizing your cooling experience:

  • Keep your cool inside by shutting windows and doors
  • If you have open windows or doors, cool air can escape and heat can enter. Keep them closed and keep the heat out!
  • Make sure air vents are clear
  • Anything blocking the vents prevent your AC from properly cooling your home
  • Close blinds during the day
  • Having the sun shining in your house causes the temperature of your home to rise
  • Schedule normal maintenance
  • Keep all your components running properly and in the best condition
  • Clean and replace air filters
  • Having a dirty air filter will cause your unit to have to work even harder to cool your house

No matter what the weather throws at you, Cool Experts AC has your back. Request a free consultation with Cool Experts AC here!

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