The afternoon summer sun in Flower Mound, TX can create quite the battle for your cooling system. Triple-digit temperatures paired with high humidity may have you running the AC around the clock. The steps you take now can make a big difference in preventing a mid-summer breakdown.
Replace Air Filters Regularly for Proper Airflow
Heavy pollen from oak trees often mixes with dust and other airborne particulates during the summer. These pollutants can clog air filters when they enter your home through leaky ductwork and structural gaps. When this happens, the blower motor works extra hard to pull in air. If the system runs with a clogged filter for an extended period, it may eventually overheat and shut down. We suggest checking the filter every 30 days to see whether it needs a replacement.
Keep Outdoor Condenser Unit Free of Debris
The landscape is beautiful in most areas throughout Flower Mound, but it’s important to keep the outdoor part of the AC clear of shrubbery and other plants. A clearance of at least two feet around the unit is ideal for preventing airflow restrictions that could lead to overheating. You may need to rinse the unit with a garden hose to remove grass clippings and airborne pollen. If you have trees planted nearby, make sure to trim them back so none of the branches hang over the top of the condenser fan.
Set Thermostat to Reduce System Strain
Do your best to find a temperature range that doesn’t put immense strain on the cooling equipment. In Flower Mound, a good thermostat setting is anywhere between 75°F and 78°F. This allows the equipment to run efficiently without overworking itself. Just remember, for every degree in increased temperature, you can save up to 3% on your monthly cooling costs.
Block Direct Sunlight During Peak Hours
Many homes in Flower Mound feature expansive windows that provide gorgeous views of the lush landscapes and local parks. Although these windows do a great job at letting in natural light, they also act like giant radiators during the afternoon and early evening. As the sun pours through the glass, it raises the indoor temperature, making the AC run longer cycles and use more energy. Installing heat-reflective curtains or drapes is an effective and affordable way to block solar heat gain. It’s especially important to keep them closed between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Keep Dampers Adjusted for Balanced Airflow
In homes with multiple stories, heat rises naturally to the upper floors, making them warmer than the lower ones. Having dampers installed in your ductwork is a smart way to have better control over the volume of air directed to each zone. You can keep more of the cool air flowing to the upper-level rooms during peak afternoon hours. The enhanced airflow balance greatly reduces the risk of AC overheating.
Avoid Blocking Vents With Furniture or Curtains
Take a walk through each room to make sure there is nothing covering the air vents, like furniture or drapes. Blocked vents are a top contributor to restricted airflow and increased static pressure that causes AC overheating. You may want to relocate certain vents to the wall or ceiling in spaces where floor-level obstructions are unavoidable due to the room’s layout.
Schedule Pre-Summer AC Maintenance in Flower Mound
Professional AC tune-ups give us the opportunity to spot minor mechanical issues before they escalate into emergency repairs. We check for worn capacitors, broken fan blades, loose wiring terminals and more. Making sure that all the electrical connections are tight and secure prevents system shorts and potential fire hazards. Taking refrigerant measurements helps us determine whether there’s a leak. Our team also cleans the system’s coils. This improves their heat transfer, allowing the AC to run consistently at peak performance.
Seal Air Leaks Around Doors and Windows
Another way to keep the AC from overheating is to eliminate drafts and air leaks around doors and windows. Cool air escaping through gaps and crevices puts wear on the compressor as it works continuously to replace the lost volume of conditioned air. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to address these energy-wasters. Just use weatherstripping or caulk to seal the perimeters of your door frames and window sashes. This is an inexpensive DIY upgrade that makes noticeable differences in how hard the AC has to work.
Use Ceiling Fans to Support Cooling Circulation
Your ceiling fans need to rotate counter-clockwise during the summer. This creates a wind chill effect by circulating a steady breeze. Your body will feel naturally cooler, and you can keep the thermostat at a higher temperature setting. The AC won’t have to cycle on as much, and your living spaces will feel more comfortable.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat for Better Control
Today’s smart thermostats come with a wide range of features that help a cooling system run more efficiently. With automated scheduling, the system can transition from energy-saving eco modes to your preferred comfort levels according to a custom program that matches your daily routine. Geofencing capabilities can even detect when you’re about to arrive home and pre-cool your living spaces so they are perfect the moment you walk through the door. Remote access lets you adjust the temperature at home from any location using your smartphone. When used strategically, a smart thermostat reduces AC runtime and prevents constant cycling, which lowers the chance of overheating.
Keep Interior Doors Open for Better Airflow
Shut doors reduce how much conditioned air can flow into each space, leading to pressure imbalances. The AC may try to pull in air from wall cavities and unconditioned spaces rather than the designated return vents. By keeping the doors open, the system doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a consistent temperature across different zones.
Avoid Heat-Generating Appliances During Peak Hours
If you run heat-producing appliances like dryers and ovens in the middle of the day, your interior spaces will be much warmer. When the thermostat takes temperature readings, it may signal the AC to kick on to counteract the localized heat gain. Running these appliances during the early morning or late evening is a smarter way to reduce the peak cooling load on your system.
Honest Home Services LLC is the company to call when you need expert AC solutions. We’ll make sure you have the correct size setup for your home to prevent overheating and premature compressor failure. We even offer maintenance plans that make it simple to keep your system running at peak efficiency all summer long.
Contact Honest Home Services LLC today to get your AC ready for the first heat wave in Flower Mound.
