When most people think about Wisconsin weather, they remember the snowstorms and freezing winters. However, River Falls, New Richmond, and Hudson all experience hot and humid summers. During a heat wave, you need to prepare your air conditioner to run for longer periods to keep your home comfortable.

Unfortunately, heat waves can expose any previous weaknesses that your system may have. This makes it more likely for your system to malfunction during these extreme weather events. But when you prepare your air conditioner with routine maintenance and air filter changes, you can help lower the risk of cooling problems when the hot weather arrives.

Why Do River Falls Homes Struggle During Wisconsin Heat Waves?

During a heat wave, your air conditioner runs much longer cooling cycles. The high humidity levels in River Falls can make the heat feel more uncomfortable when you're inside. Your air conditioner is responsible for cooling your home and helping to remove some of that excess moisture to make you more comfortable.

However, when temperatures climb into the 90s and above, many AC systems begin to operate nearly nonstop during the afternoon and early evening hours. If your system already has problems like dirty coils, aging components, or restricted airflow, the added stress can increase your risk of a breakdown. To make it even worse, if your home has older insulation, poor attic ventilation, or aging ductwork, you can place an even bigger strain on your cooling system.

How Does AC Maintenance Help River Falls Homeowners Avoid Breakdowns?

Routine HVAC maintenance is one of the best ways to protect your cooling system during a Wisconsin heat wave. Many breakdowns occur because small issues go unnoticed until your air conditioner faces heavy demand. When you call us for professional maintenance, our technicians do various things to prepare your system.

Our professional maintenance includes checking these things:

  • Refrigerant levels
  • Air filters
  • Electrical connections
  • Condensate drains
  • Thermostat operation
  • Blower components
  • Evaporator coils
  • Condenser coils

When our technicians inspect, clean, and test key components of your system, they can catch many problems early on. This maintenance helps keep your cooling system operating as efficiently and reliably as possible. This way, you can reduce wasted energy, avoid unnecessary strain on the system, and stay on track with any maintenance requirements included in your manufacturer's warranty.

Should You Replace an Older AC System in Hudson or River Falls?

If you have an aging air conditioning system that frequently struggles to keep your home comfortable during summer heat waves, it may be time to consider a replacement. Homeowners who call for frequent repairs every year or multiple times a year should consider an upgrade. Many central air conditioners, ductless mini-splits, and heat pumps can last around 10 to 20 years, depending on the type of system, installation quality, maintenance history, and how heavily the equipment is used.

If your air conditioner is approaching those later years, it's best to consider a replacement before your system fails. You'll likely notice rising energy bills as your system gets less efficient. It's also common to notice uneven cooling, poor humidity control, and louder-than-normal operation. It's a good idea to have one of our technicians assess your AC to determine if a replacement is necessary.

Upgrading to a new air conditioner comes with many great benefits. You can enjoy better cooling performance and lower energy usage. You may also notice better indoor humidity control and quieter operation. You can enjoy more modern conveniences, like smart thermostat compatibility. Even better, purchasing a new air conditioner can improve system reliability and may be a selling point for future buyers.

What Can Homeowners Do Before a Wisconsin Heat Wave Arrives?

There are several different things you can do to properly prepare your cooling system before the worst heat waves hit. One of the most important things is to replace your air filter. Dirty air filters are one of the biggest causes of restricted airflow and can contribute to frozen coils.

Pull your filter out of its housing, and hold it up to a light. If you can't see through the filter or it looks heavily coated with dust and debris, it's time to replace it with a new one. Use the exact same size filter to help maintain proper airflow and system performance. Keep a spare filter on hand so you can do a replacement whenever it's necessary.

Another must-do is cleaning up around your outdoor condenser unit. Things like grass clippings, leaves, and other debris can block airflow around the unit. When airflow is restricted, it will struggle to release heat from your home. Trim back any shrubbery to leave 2 to 3 feet of open space around the unit.

Another must-do is sealing up any air leaks around your home. Air leaks can develop around door and window frames on your exterior walls over time due to the natural expansion and contraction process. These leaks allow outside heat to seep into your home and raise your indoor temperature. It's best to seal up those air leaks with caulking or weather stripping.

Why Are Wisconsin Energy Bills So High During Heat Waves?

One of the biggest complaints that many Wisconsin homeowners have about heat waves is the increase in their energy bills. Since your cooling system must run longer cycles to reach your desired temperature setting, its energy consumption increases. However, if you're noticing excessively high energy bills, it could indicate an underlying problem with your air conditioning system that's causing it to operate inefficiently.

Here are some of the biggest AC efficiency killers.

  • Dirty condenser coils
  • Clogged filters
  • Aging systems
  • Poor insulation
  • Leaky ductwork
  • Thermostat problems
  • Incorrect refrigerant charge

How Can You Tell if Your AC in Hudson, WI Is Struggling?

Be mindful of the operation of your AC unit before heat waves arrive. If you notice anything out of the norm, it's best to have a professional evaluation before the heat wave hits. There are many early warning signs that your cooling system is under stress. During normal weather conditions, your air conditioning system should not be running constantly. If it does, it could have dirty coils, poor airflow, a dirty filter, a refrigerant problem, or another performance issue.

If you notice weak airflow coming from your vents, your system could have a ducting issue, a problem with its blower motor, or restricted airflow. Warm air coming from your vents and registers may indicate a refrigerant issue, but it can also be caused by airflow problems, dirty coils, thermostat issues, or electrical problems. High indoor humidity under normal conditions can also be a sign that your air conditioner is not cooling or dehumidifying properly.

Schedule HVAC Maintenance Today

Preparing your air conditioner for a heat wave goes a long way to help minimize your breakdown risk and enhance your comfort. If you need professional HVAC maintenance in River Falls, WI, contact One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® today!