How Does Outdoor Heat & Humidity Affect My HVAC System?
How Does Outdoor Heat & Humidity Affect My HVAC System?
On hot and humid days, you aren’t the only one that’s suffering—so is your HVAC. That’s right—high humidity and heat can cause your air conditioner to work twice as hard to cool your home. In this post, we explore how external conditions impact your HVAC’s performance, plus provide tips on how you can help your system in the hot summer months.
Does Heat & Humidity Affect My HVAC?
Your HVAC doesn’t actually directly cool the air inside your home. Instead, it captures that air and releases it to the hot air outside. However, on very hot days, your HVAC will have to work overtime due to two factors: one, there’s more heat coming into the home constantly; and two, the outside air is hotter. Not only does this make it difficult to release hot air to already-hot outdoor air, but your HVAC will have to work double-time to ensure that the inside air is cooler than the outside air.
In addition to heat, humidity is also another factor that affects your HVAC’s performance. Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air—in other words, the air’s water content. Unfortunately, heat and humidity often come hand-in-hand, putting more strain on your HVAC to maintain a comfortable indoor environment.
It’s worth mentioning that your HVAC doesn’t remove only hot air from inside your home—it also eliminates moisture. Since humidity means there’s more moisture in the air, your HVAC will have to work harder to reduce the air’s clamminess. This increased workload can affect its performance, and in turn, its lifespan.
What Can I Do to Help My HVAC on a Hot Day?
Even if it’s hot and humid, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer and sweat! There are plenty of things you can do to help your HVAC out, such as:
- Close the curtains. One of the best ways to help your HVAC on scorching days is to close all of the curtains, blinds, etc. to limit the amount of sunlight that streams inside.
- Avoid doing activities that generate heat. Don’t make things even more difficult for your HVAC! When it’s warm outside, try not to use your stove, oven, etc., so as not to make your indoor area even warmer.
- Assist your HVAC with fans. Use fans to create a cross-breeze, allowing air to circulate better—they’re like your HVAC’s trusty sidekicks!
- Check if your HVAC’s outdoor unit is clear. It’s crucial for your HVAC’s outdoor unit to be free from any obstructions that may be affecting how it releases heat.
The Right HVAC Can Handle Heat and Humidity
While the tips we mentioned above can help your HVAC work better on hot and humid days, nothing beats having the right HVAC for your home. A properly selected HVAC, combined with maintenance, will be able to handle high temperatures, lowering the risk of breakdowns during the hot summer months.
It’s recommended to consult a professional HVAC company that can help you choose the ideal unit for your home. At Beeson Mechanical Service, our dedicated team won’t only determine the best HVAC tailored to your needs, but we’ll also have it routinely inspected to ensure it functions efficiently year-round. By working with us, you’ll benefit from having a reliable HVAC and peace of mind. We’ll make sure your HVAC can handle Indiana’s hottest and most humid months.
Call us today at 317-535-9338 for HVAC solutions that suit your household’s needs.