As spring progresses into summer, many wonder about the likelihood of a heatwave and how one might affect the way they cool their home. Heatwaves can have significant impacts on the way residential air conditioning operates, sometimes leading to increased maintenance needs. Here are some effects that a residential air conditioning system might experience, along with tips that can help you to handle them.

1. Inadequate Cooling

Your residential air conditioning system might perform perfectly well most of the time, but a heatwave could overwhelm its capabilities and leave you sweating in a home that is far too hot. You can reduce the likelihood of this happening by scheduling regular services to ensure that your air conditioner is in prime condition.

If your air conditioner often fails to handle the summer heat, you might need to upgrade to a more powerful system. In general, modern air conditioning systems are more able to cope with heatwaves than older models. You might also like to upgrade from a simple window AC unit to a ducted aircon. Get in touch with a local HVAC company to discuss your options.

2. Greater Wear and Tear

Heatwaves can increase wear and tear on your residential air conditioning system. You will need to clean or replace your filters more often as they become blocked with dust, pollen, and other airborne particles. In particular, you should clean your filters or replace them with new ones if there has recently been a wildfire in your area, as smoke can clog them very quickly.

Look out for other signs of wear and tear affecting your air conditioning system, such as rattling or grinding noises, strange smells, or warm air blowing from the vents instead of cold air. If you notice these signs that the system is failing, call an HVAC service as soon as possible.

3. Higher Energy Bills

During a heatwave, it is normal for the amount of money you spend cooling your home to soar. This effect occurs not only because you are using your air conditioning more often, but also because residential air conditioning systems become less efficient at higher temperatures.

One way to mitigate this effect is to schedule a tune-up to ensure your air conditioner is in perfect condition at the start of summer, as air conditioning systems run more efficiently when all their parts are in perfect condition. Another option is to add more insulation to your home and seal gaps to prevent cooled air from escaping from your home.