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Key Points
- After a heat wave, HVAC experts perform maintenance tasks like cleaning condenser coils and changing air filters.
- Experts caution against letting outside air and cranking your thermostat down after a heat wave.
- Clean the outdoor condenser coil with a garden hose and set a consistent, moderate thermostat temperature.
After emerging from a scorching heat wave, it can be difficult to figure out how to best keep your home cool moving forward.
How can the average person make sure their air conditioning system doesn’t get overwhelmed or shut down? And how can you do that without racking up a massive energy bill?
To find out, we spoke to two HVAC experts about what they do after a heat wave, and how they recommend staying cool all summer long.
Meet the Expert
- Alyssa Rogers is the vice president of Rogers Heating & Cooling.
- Randy Huckstadt is an HVAC expert at Just Answer.
What HVAC Pros Do After a Heat Wave
HVAC pro Randy Huckstadt often finds himself busy performing post-heat wave maintenance, such as changing air filters and cleaning condenser coils.
“Debris, dust, and grass clippings get sucked into the outdoor unit during high-capacity usage,” Huckstadt says. “Professionals clean these coils with a hose or specialized cleaner to restore efficiency.”
5 Things You Should Never Do After a Heat Wave
Taking extra precautions can prevent your HVAC system from growing strained and struggling to keep you cool the next time that temperatures soar. For best results, avoid doing these five things after a heat wave.
Cover Vents
HVAC pro Alyssa Rogers likes to sporadically rearrange rooms in her home. However, she avoids covering floor vents when moving furniture around.
“This can be difficult sometimes for aesthetic reasons but is super important for the health of your HVAC system,” she says.
Crank Your Thermostat Down
No matter how warm your space feels, avoid the urge to crank your thermostat down to a dramatically lower temperature.
“Give your home a chance to cool down,” Rogers says. “[Your HVAC system] just worked hard to keep your home cool.”
Huckstadt mentions that AC systems typically cool at a rate between 15-20 degrees cooler than the temperature outside.
“Lowering the thermostat dramatically will not cool your house any faster, it will just cause the system to run continuously and freeze the coils,” he says.
Ignore Strange Noises or Leaks
“A system that just endured a week of [over] 100°F temperatures may develop failing capacitors, failing fan motors, or condensate drain clogs,” Huckstadt says. “Ignoring these signs can lead to total system failure.”
Let Outside Air In
Rogers warns against overwhelming your AC by allowing air from outside sources into the house while it’s still hot outside. Doing so can overwhelm it and even blow the capacitor in more extreme cases.
“Close curtains, windows, and doors to allow your system to not be overworked on overly hot days,” she says.
Ignore Your Air Filter
Make sure to check on your air filter after a heat wave, when it could’ve become dirty or damaged.
“Running your HVAC system with a clogged filter immediately after a heat wave strains the blower motor and risks freezing the indoor coil,” Huckstadt says.
3 Things You Should Never Do During a Heat Wave
The next time a heat wave rolls in, avoid the following at all costs:
- Keeping your doors open for long periods of time.
- Leaving your windows open.
- Lowering your thermostat temperature if your system is already struggling to keep up.
How To Stay Cool Without Stressing Your HVAC System
The HVAC experts we spoke to recommend these tips and tricks to stay cool and comfortable all summer, without stressing your HVAC system:
- Set a moderate, consistent thermostat temperature (78°F or slightly higher while you are home).
- Don’t close vents in unoccupied rooms.
- Use electric fans to aim a direct breeze onto yourself.
- Clean your outdoor condenser unit by spraying it with a garden hose.
Read the original article on The Spruce
