Hey everyone! I'm curious if it's normal for my air conditioning to run continuously on super hot days, like when temperatures hit over 95 degrees. I keep my thermostat set to 72, but during the peak daytime heat, it often climbs to around 76 and only starts cooling down again in the late afternoon when it gets cooler outside. Is this to be expected?
3 Answers
It largely depends on your home’s insulation and how efficiently your AC is running. If every room is properly insulated and windows are sealed, your AC should handle those high temps better. If you have older windows or poor seals, that can seriously impact the performance. Getting an energy audit might really help you see where the issues are!
Just had mine done, and it pinpointed so many leaks! Totally worth it.
Yeah, that can be pretty normal under those conditions! An AC unit works hard when it’s super hot outside, and if your home isn’t well insulated, it might struggle to keep up with the heat. I’d say if it runs all day without freezing up, it’s doing its job as best as it can! Still, it might be worth checking things like insulation or air leaks for better efficiency.
Totally! I find that closing curtains during the day helps a lot too. Ever since I did that, my AC doesn't have to work as hard.
Also, don’t forget to check your air filter! A dirty one can really affect your system’s performance.
You should definitely measure the temperature difference between the return vent and the supply ducts. If it’s less than 14 degrees, that indicates an issue with your system. Ideally, it should be around 20-30 degrees cooler than the outside temp, depending on efficiency! Also, make sure your outside unit is clean as that can really hinder performance, especially during peak temperatures.
I checked mine, and it was right around 14 degrees, so now I'm worried it’s not working properly!
That's a solid method! I think I need to give that a try to see how mine is performing.
How do you typically get an energy audit done? Sounds like a solid plan!