The cooling season here in Coeur d’Alene, ID may almost be over, but we still have a few weeks of intense heat to contend with yet. Hopefully, your air conditioner has served you well the last couple of months. One thing is for certain—it’s hard to get through summer without a fully functioning AC system!
Air conditioners are designed to stand up to high temperatures and many years of use, including periods of soaring heat. However, the end of summer is typically when these systems are most likely to suffer breakdowns. This is particularly true if you have an aging system and/or you haven’t had your air conditioner professionally maintained in the last year.
Intense Heat and Your Air Conditioner
Although not as common in our area as it is in other parts of the country, the strain placed on power substations during periods of intense heat can cause circuit breakers to pop. This can lead to a power outage that can last up to a few hours. Of course, no power means no air conditioning, leaving you in sweltering heat until the power comes back on.
Failed capacitors are another common cause of AC failure. These components are electronic systems that are responsible for transferring electrical charges to the various motors in your air conditioning system. High heat shortens the capacitors’ lifespan, and at the end of a long summer it could only take one day of high heat for a capacitor to fail.
One last common heat-related AC issue is burned-out motors. There is an intense amount of strain placed on your AC motors during the summer that can lead to this—particularly if your AC is over a decade old and has had extensive wear and tear.
Air Conditioning Maintenance
The best way to avoid this type of problem is by investing in professional air conditioner maintenance. An air conditioning system that is regularly maintained will almost always last longer than one that isn’t, plus it will have a far lower chance of suffering from detrimental repair problems.
To learn more about our quality AC maintenance program in Coeur d’Alene, ID, contact ACI Northwest today. We’re here to help with all of your home comfort needs and concerns!