How Weather Affects Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system plays a crucial role in maintaining comfort within your home. One thing to keep in mind is that weather conditions outside can have a mild to significant impact on the efficiency of your HVAC system.
The team at Modern HVAC is skilled in maintaining your HVAC system so that it is optimized properly – no matter the weather outside!
Let’s discuss how different weather patterns affect both your heating system/furnace and your air conditioning unit.
How Weather Affects Your Furnace
When the temperature drops in Northeast Wisconsin, your heating system becomes essential for keeping your home warm and cozy. However, various weather factors can affect its performance:
Outside Temperature
In colder weather, the heating system needs to work harder and for longer periods to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. This increased workload can lead to higher energy consumption and overall, a potential strain on the system. Not only that, it starts to collect a larger amount of dust and debris.
To help minimize the buildup of dust and debris, or strain on your HVAC system, we recommend having your unit looked at annually. Another pro-tip: be sure to check your air filter monthly and replace as needed!
Read More: What to Know Before Installing a New Furnace
Humidity Levels
Cold weather often brings dry air, which can impact your heating system. Extremely low humidity levels can cause dryness and discomfort within your home.
To help counteract this, we recommend that you purchase a humidifier in conjunction with your heating system to maintain optimal indoor humidity levels. A technician can also provide recommendations for what to do when you have low humidity levels in your home or business.
Air Infiltration
Cold weather can create drafts and gaps in your home, allowing cold air to infiltrate and warm air to escape. This puts additional strain on your heating system as it attempts to compensate for the heat loss.
Proper insulation and sealing of windows and doors can help minimize this problem. If you know your insulation and window and door sealing could be improved, be sure to check with our technicians for recommendations!
Strain On Your Furnace
To prevent your heating system from becoming strained by trying to keep the interior of your home cool, you’ll want to keep your programmable thermostat around 70°F. You don’t want to turn your unit off, let the temperature drop, and then turn the thermostat up the next day. Noticing your furnace short cycling? There are number of reasons why this may be happening.
Likewise, you don’t want to set the temperature too high either. Instead, try setting your thermostat at slightly above your standard winter setting to help minimize strain on your furnace.
Read More: 6 Facts You Should Know About the Furnace Installation Process
How Weather Affects Your A/C Unit
During the hot summer months, your air conditioning unit is a vital part of surviving the heat! Especially from the months of June to August, Wisconsin temperatures can reach as high as 80-100°F or more.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some factors that’ll impact your air conditioning:
Outside Temperature
The outside temperature directly impacts how your A/C unit operates. The hotter it is outside your home or business, the harder your A/C system must work to cool the indoor air.
This prolonged and intense operation can result in higher energy consumption, increased wear and tear, and potential strain on the system. Our technicians will be more than happy to help you maintain your A/C to ensure it can withstand whatever hot Wisconsin weather throws at it! We can also help you with A/C maintenance tips for you to refer to to make sure your unit stays in top shape.
Read More: 10 Air Conditioning Myths that are Costing You Money
Humidity Levels
High humidity levels can affect your air conditioner’s efficiency. Humidity makes the air feel warmer, leading to longer cooling cycles. To combat this, an A/C unit typically dehumidifies the air as it cools, but excessive humidity can strain the system.
Here’s some more information on why your house is so humid.
Air Quality
Airborne particles, pollen, and pollutants are more prevalent in hot weather. These contaminants can clog the A/C system’s filters, reducing airflow and efficiency.
Regular filter cleaning or replacement is essential to maintain optimal performance.
Read More: How To Prevent Bugs From Coming Through Air Conditioner Vents
How Weather Affects Your HVAC System: Common FAQs
Yes, the outside temperature significantly affects your HVAC system’s performance. Both heating and cooling systems need to work harder in extreme temperatures, leading to increased energy consumption and potential strain on the system.
Cold weather impacts your HVAC system, since it will require more energy and longer operation to compensate for heat loss. This will likely lead to increased energy usage and system strain.
Yes, it is normal for an air conditioning unit to experience increased strain on exceptionally hot days. The system must work harder and for longer periods to cool the indoor air, resulting in higher energy consumption and potential performance challenges.
Related: HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners
Why Choose Modern HVAC?
When you choose Modern HVAC to assess the performance of your furnace or A/C unit, you’ll benefit from the following:
- Quick Response Times: A local HVAC company like Modern Sheet Metal will respond promptly to your service request. Our team has years of experience providing quick installation, repair, maintenance, and emergency heating and cooling services to residences and businesses alike.
- Decades of Professional, Certified Experience: Modern Sheet Metal hires certified professional with expertise in A/C units, furnaces, radiant floor heating, and indoor air quality. We are a Certified Factory Authorized Dealer of the Carrier brand and we have been providing professional services throughout the Fox Valley since 1963.
- Free Estimates and Free Second Opinions: At Modern, we provide FREE estimates and FREE second opinions so that you can move forward with confidence knowing your quote was accurate!
We are proud the serve the city of Appleton and the greater Fox Valley area. This includes Menasha, Neenah, Darboy, Kimberly, Kaukauna, and Greenville.
Contact the team today for more information about our services. We are happy to help you troubleshoot your A/C or repair or replace your furnace!
Further Reading:
- Heating and Cooling Guide
- 10 Things to Check Before Calling An HVAC Technician
- Signs You Need a New Air Conditioning Unit
- Choosing the Best Heat Distribution System for Your Home
- The Differences Between a Heat Pump and Central A/C
- 12 Reasons Why Your Furnace is Leaking
- How Big Should My HVAC System Be?
- Is Geothermal Heating Worth it in Cold Climates?
- Why Your Furnace Needs Regular Tune Ups
- What to Do When Your Furnace is Leaking?