How Florida Heat Affects Your AC Efficiency (And What to Do About It)

The hot and humid weather in Florida greatly impacts your cooling system in several ways. Understanding its effects on performance is crucial to keeping your home cool and comfortable. You don’t want your AC unit to overwork because it hurts energy efficiency and causes inconvenient breakdowns. Here’s a close look at how Florida’s summer weather strains your system and what you can do about it.

Summer Weather Lowers Efficiency

Florida summers have extremely hot temperatures and intense humidity. The combination of these weather elements makes an air conditioner work much harder than usual. As it works longer and uses more energy to pull heat and moisture from the air, this reduces its overall efficiency. You might notice the system struggling to keep the whole house cool as it runs nonstop. Some rooms might feel sticky and uncomfortable, especially those farthest from the air handler or with poor insulation.

Summer Weather Increases Wear

With the AC unit running for longer periods of time during high temps, its parts will experience more wear and tear. This increases the risk of breakdowns, especially if you don’t stay on top of maintenance.

Summer Weather Raises Utility Bills

Every time the air conditioning kicks on, it uses energy to keep your home cool. The more it runs, the higher your energy costs will be. So, in the summer, you can expect your energy bills to rise as the system works harder to combat the heat and humidity. Most Florida homeowners notice their highest bills in July and August.

Ways to Beat the Heat

Staying on top of required maintenance is the best way to keep your equipment running efficiently and control costs. Here are four tips you can use to lower your energy bills and extend your AC unit’s lifespan.

1. Regular Filter Changes

Being a responsible homeowner means staying on top of regular HVAC filter changes. It’s a simple task that makes a huge difference in system performance. Air conditioners that don’t receive filter changes struggle to circulate air properly. As they clog with dust, pet hair, and other allergens, it hurts the home’s indoor air quality and makes the HVAC unit run for longer. In most houses, filter changes are necessary once every 30 to 90 days. However, households with pets or allergy sufferers often need them changed much more frequently. Ductless AC units require filter changes every two weeks.

2. Thermostat Calibrations and Adjustments

The thermostat is what instructs the air conditioner to turn on and off. If it doesn’t have the proper settings, it can lead to overcooling or undercooling in a house. Both of these scenarios waste energy and make the home uncomfortable. Double-checking the thermostat settings and battery life can help catch issues before they affect system performance. If you notice signs of temperature swings or inconsistent cooling, then the thermostat may need professional calibration.

3. Cleaning All Air Vents

Early summer is the perfect time to walk through your house and wipe down all of the air vents. You don’t want any dust or debris buildup to block airflow. If this happens, it makes the AC unit use more energy and work harder to cool down the house. It also creates pressure imbalances that reduce comfort in certain rooms. By wiping down the vents, you help improve airflow and prevent strain on the system. If you notice any closed vents as you’re wiping them down, make sure to open them. This is another simple step that helps maintain balanced pressure throughout the whole system.

4. Scheduling Annual Maintenance

You should never view professional AC maintenance as a choice. Rather, it’s a necessity that keeps the system working optimally at all times. For those living in Florida, where heat and humidity stick around most of the year, this service makes a big difference for year-round comfort. During a maintenance visit, we’ll wipe down all coils, fan blades, and air vents. This prevents dirt buildup from blocking airflow and helps the whole unit work more efficiently. Lubricating moving parts like motors or blower fans reduces friction to further enhance how much energy the AC unit uses. Fixing loose electrical connections will keep the wiring from overheating so that it doesn’t present any risk for an electrical fire.

Here at Jacob H&C, we make it simple to stay on top of regular AC maintenance. We’re a one-stop shop for cooling repairs and installation, too. Our goal is to help your air conditioner use as little energy as possible to keep you cool and comfortable all summer. Give Jacob H&C a call to schedule AC maintenance or repair in DeLand, FL.