What does extreme weather have to do with my AC System?

 

What does extreme weather have to do with my AC System?

BY AIRZONE SERVICES

In Feb of 2021, South Texas experienced a freeze that was not a common weather occurrence in the Lone Star State.  Temperatures dropped below freezing for a span of three days which caused havoc on many homeowner's sprinklers', pools', and plumbing.  Due to the failures of power grid affecting areas of Kyle, Buda, Austin and most of Texas.  Many homes experienced multiple power surges before and after the blackout, as the lights flickered, causing damage to many electronic devices.  Affecting the home and appliances such as your heating and air conditioning units across the state.   When the power came on and the temperatures starting heating up.  Homeowner's began to see the effects of how extreme cold weather can affect the home and how insulation played a role in keeping the home warm as temperatures continued to drop outside.  

Even though a freezing event of this nature is not common for the area.  Other Texas extreme weather conditions such as lightning thunderstorms and high heat advisories throughout the year are.  Creating problems that can be devastating on your Air Conditioning units. 

There are a few practices to help minimize damage during these extreme weather patterns and reduce AC Repairs costs.  Here are some tips to be mindful of next time your experiencing extreme weather in your area.  

FOUR TIPS FOR YOUR SYSTEM DURING EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS:

 

When you hear THUNDER, take your AC SYSTEM OFFLINE: 

 

Tip 1: Texas ranks as the Top State that experience the most lightning strikes in the U.S.  Because lightning can cause electrical surges when it makes contact to a utility boxes, wires, or in close proximity of your home.  It is advisable to turn your AC SYSTEM OFF.  By turning it off at the thermostat, your system will be less likely to suffer damage from power surges that can burn out electrical parts of your Air Conditioning system such as control boards, capacitors, and other components.  

     
If Cold air came into the home during the freeze.  Then Cold air can escape the home, just as easily.  

 

Tip 2: When experiencing high temperatures outside: Think of how cold air played a role in keeping your home warm during the freeze.  Many homeowners found themselves plugging up cracks, closing doors, and boarding up windows with layers of curtains to reduce the cold air from entering the home.  Cracks and insulation are a common reason why a home struggles to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  Heating and Cooling the home will depend on how well the air stays within the space that it is treating.  The AC will cool the air that is already treated over and over again much easier than new air that is coming in from the outside of the home.  

 

Checking the windows to the HOME: Asthetic vs functionial

 

Tip 3: Older windows tend to add character to the outside of the home and at times are much cheaper and easier to keep on an older home that switch out.  However, older windows tend to be a source of weak insulation that affect the temperatures inside your home.   Single Pane windows (original to the home) may be letting cold air escape.  They allow sun rays to heat up the home and the space around the area.  The other option is a Double pane window which provides functionality.  They are built with two panes of glass spaced apart to allow air to get trapped in between.  Reducing the effects to the temperatures inside the home by providing insulation to the cold or heat outside.  Making your air conditioner work more efficiently to keep your home at the desired temperature.   

 

When it's HEATING UP OUTSIDE, nudge your AC up to MATCH: (respectively) 

 

Tip 3: Changing the temperatures settings up when the weather outside is reaching the triple digits will help your Air Conditioner keep up with the extreme heat.  While most systems can keep up with the outside temperatures during spring and fall, many older systems can only manage to keep the inside of the home approximately 18-20 degrees less than the outside temperatures.  Factors in the home such as electronics, square footage, ductwork, etc.., may play a factor to the system's ability to keep the area cool when things are heating up in Texas.  Since the system recycles air from the outside, inside or a combination of both.  It cools the air that is coming through the vents till the inside of the home reaches the temperature set on your thermostat.  Systems that are continuously running are more than likely to have difficulty trying to maintain a temperature inside the home.  If the gap is larger than 20 degree difference to the outside, you may experience a systems freeze or malfunctioning if not addressed.  Of coarse, there are units that are built to help with these type of conditions.  Some higher efficiency units or secondary units can help with this problem and can be used to help during these type of heat advisories in Texas.  

Knowing how the weather affects your appliances and the comforts of your home is extremely important in avoiding any unseen repair costs.  To ensure that your system is running at its peak performance tune-ups are valuable services for your system. Checking for leaks and refrigerant level will ensure your AC is running at peak performance. At Air Zone Heating and Air Conditioning LLC we offer quality HVAC service performed by an experienced staff of trained technicians at competitive prices. Offering great deals on installations, repairs, estimates and maintenance service for central Air Conditioners and Heaters of all brands and models. Ask us about our AC maintenance plans which provide low-cost seasonal tune-ups to ensure your Air Conditioner is performing at the absolute best. Located in Buda, Texas and servicing all Kyle, Austin, Wimberley, Dripping Springs, Austin and surrounding Areas, we look forward to the opportunity to provide great quality Air Conditioner and Heating services. Contact us online at www.airzoneservices.com or call us at 512.917.0384 for further assistance.  

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