When temperatures soar past 100 degrees (especially in Texas), your air conditioner isn’t just working, it’s fighting. Here’s what extreme heat means for homeowners:

Extreme Outdoor Heat Reduces Cooling Efficiency

ACs work by pushing indoor heat outside. But when it’s already 100+ degrees outdoors, that transfer becomes much harder. This means longer run times and less effective cooling on the hottest days.

Pro Tip: Raising the thermostat to 76 degrees to 78 degrees instead of lower temps can cut strain and reduce energy use.

Non Stop Running = More Wear and Tear

With the mercury creeping into triple digits and heat indexes topping 110 degrees, AC units run almost constantly. That continuous operation accelerates wear on key parts like compressors and fans, leading to unexpected breakdowns.

Dirty Filters and Coils Get Exposed

When systems are already under stress, anything blocking airflow, like clogged filters or dusty coils, makes it worse. The result? Higher energy use and a greater risk of breakdown.

Action Step: Check and replace air filters every one to two months during peak summer, and have a pro clean the condenser coils regularly.

Low Refrigerant Becomes a Bigger Issue

If AC is low on refrigerant, it struggles even more when temperatures hit 100 degrees. You may notice hot spots or insufficient cooling.

Recommendation: Always have a licensed tech check refrigerant levels – never DIY it. Leaks are serious and need professional handling.

Older Units Are Less Prepared for a Texas Blast

Homes with a 10 to 15 year old AC unit are often most vulnerable. Today’s heat levels regularly reach record territory – far beyond the typical design parameters of older systems.

Solution: If you’re calling for repairs frequently or noticing performance drops, maybe upgrade to a high efficiency unit designed for extreme Texas summers.

Why Now Is the Time for Pro HVAC Help

Texas summers, especially mid July through August, routinely deliver average highs of 96 degrees, with real world conditions pushing the heat index to 105+ degrees. Right now, every degree above strains AC systems and affects homeowners’ comfort, energy bills, and indoor air quality.

What Our Texas Team Recommends

  1. Preseason Maintenances: Clean, inspect, and calibrate systems
  2. Emergency Repair Services: Be ready for breakdowns during heat waves
  3. Efficiency Upgrades: Ask for modern, high SEER units built for triple digit heat
  4. Maintenance Plans: Monthly filter swaps, coil cleaning, and refrigerant cheks
  5. Smart Thermostat Setup: Use programmable features to balance comfort and enery savings

Bottom Line: Texas Heat and Your AC

Texas isn’t just hot, it’s a test for whether or not your AC can keep up. When it’s pushing 100 degrees to 103 degrees outside, your system needs to be in top shape to avoid failure. That’s where 4 Winds AC and Heating comes in: ready to help homeowners stay cool, safe, and smart about their AC care.