When a home’s indoor temperature fails to drop to a thermostat setting of 65 degrees on a 90-degree day, many people would assume their air conditioner is malfunctioning. However, in 90-degree heat, their AC is doing well if it maintains a temperature range in the low 70s.
If you are wondering about the limits of your AC unit, this post will help you understand your air conditioner’s ‘cool zone’ and how you can make your home cooler beyond your AC’s capacity on hot days.
The Cool Zone
Your air conditioner’s motor doesn’t rev up when you set your thermostat to a number much lower than the indoor temperature. Instead, it turns on and runs at an even level until the inside temperature lowers to the thermostat setting before shutting off. Then, your AC will repeat this cycle whenever the room temperature drifts up from the thermostat setting.
Keeping this detail in mind will help you understand the cool zone. The range of a cool zone depends on an air conditioner’s ability to remove heat from your home. In most cases, residential air conditioners have the heat transfer capacity to lower indoor temperatures by a maximum of 20 degrees. So, a 72-degree inside temperature is nearly optimal on a 90-degree day.
When you set the thermostat to a number below the cool zone, your AC will run indefinitely or until the outside temperature naturally drops in the evening. During this time, you will waste a lot of energy and money. Instead, you can set the thermostat to a number within the cool zone and maximize your AC’s performance by scheduling regular maintenance visits from a reputable AC company like John Waters Heating and Cooling Services.
Things to Do to Make Your Home Cooler
Aside from ensuring your AC is operating at a peak capacity, you can take other steps to cool your home, including shuttering rooms you don’t use, buying a dehumidifier, and hanging blackout curtains. Also, proper insulation makes a tremendous difference in keeping your home cool by preventing hot air from coming into your home. So, ensure that your doors and windows have a tight seal.
If your home is not getting cool enough, there is a chance you may have an older system or unit. Your system may need to be cleaned/serviced. Or the entire HVAC system may not be properly installed. A licensed HVAC dealer like John Waters Heating and Cooling can professionally assess your system for replacement or repair.
Understanding Your AC’s Limitations
Now that you know your air conditioner’s cool zone, you can save money on energy bills and excessive strain on your HVAC system by setting your thermostat to an obtainable temperature. Contact John Waters Heating and Cooling for more information about home air conditioning.
