Your HVAC system is a significant investment for you as a homeowner. Providing valuable heating, cooling, and humidity regulation for your home, it works tirelessly to keep your living spaces comfortable no matter the season.
Did you know that your HVAC system is impacted not only by your indoor environment but by outdoor weather conditions as well? Extreme temperatures, sun, shade, and humidity affect your system’s performance. Knowing a bit about weather patterns in your area and how to manage your system will improve its function and longevity, providing you with well-regulated, comfortable indoor conditions.
Florida Weather Conditions That Have an Impact on Your HVAC System
Florida’s hot, humid, and sometimes violent climate can make it difficult to care for and regulate your HVAC system. This is especially true when keeping your home cool and comfortable during the stifling summer months.
With all the focus on summer fun, it’s easy to forget about the need for home heating. Even though it rarely gets freezing, nights can get chilly. You will want to have a reliable heating system as well as a cooling system.
Florida Climate Challenges for Your HVAC System
Florida’s extremes sometimes make it difficult for your HVAC system to regulate temperatures and humidity in your home. Here are some of the weather conditions that have an impact on your system.
High Humidity
High humidity levels make it more difficult for your HVAC system to regulate your home effectively. This causes your system to work harder and consume more energy to maintain consistent temperatures.
Humid air puts a strain on your unit’s air intake system. Unless control measures are taken, humidity can contribute to the development of mold and mildew growth inside your system. As spores clog the air and reduce airflow, your system works harder to circulate air through your home. This extra stress increases the risk of breakdowns and the need for repairs.
To prevent issues with humidity, inspect and replace air filters to ensure they are not saturated with mold or moisture. Have your system regularly serviced by a professional to assess humidity levels and make recommendations for a more balanced environment in your home.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
Florida hurricanes and severe storms have a significant impact on your HVAC system. These severe weather events cause power outages, flooding, and damage to your HVAC system.
Winds present during severe storms can damage the outer unit of your HVAC system, necessitating repairs. Rainfall and heavy flooding can cause water damage to your system controls and electrical components, leading to early equipment failure.
Power outages that often accompany these severe storms can damage your system compressor, leading to costly repair and replacement. Preventing HVAC damage during tropical storms involves securing and protecting your outdoor unit, turning off the power supply, and elevating your indoor components if necessary. Have a professional inspect your system after a severe storm to assess the damage and give you the all-clear before attempting to use it again.
Salty Coastal Air
Florida’s salty sea air can also have a significant impact on your HVAC system. The salt present in the air can cause corrosion on both outdoor and indoor unit components. This reduces their efficiency and leads to higher-than-normal energy bills. Damage caused by salty air is especially problematic for older systems and systems that have not been properly maintained. Extreme cases of corrosion can cause refrigerant leaks and even system failure.
Minimizing the effects of salt buildup include regular cleaning and inspection of outdoor components and having your system regularly inspected for signs of corrosion. Consider adding a protective coating to your outdoor unit to provide extra protection against wear and tear caused by the salty air.
Extreme Temperatures
As outside temperatures rise in Florida’s hot summers, your HVAC system has to work much harder to maintain comfortable temperature and humidity levels in your home. You know that this causes the system to consume more energy than normal and raise your electric bills.
Extreme temperatures also put additional wear and tear on your HVAC system, placing stress on various components. This can lead to more frequent repairs, such as needing to replace refrigerant more often. When your cooling system needs to work overtime, it can also reduce its intended lifespan.
Preventing additional wear and tear on your summer operation can be as simple as regularly replacing air filters and making sure your outdoor unit is free from debris. Using ceiling fans to circulate air and closing the blinds to keep out the sun’s hot rays will also reduce the added strain on your HVAC system. It can also improve both function and longevity. Having your system optimized and serviced by an HVAC professional helps make sure your system can handle the increased workload.
Cold Snaps
Cold snaps, though few and far between, do occur in Florida. Making the switch from cooling to heating adds stress to your system. If the heating components of your HVAC system aren’t ready to perform, you may find yourself in need of repairs. Even if the heating side of your system isn’t used often, scheduling regular maintenance will ensure that it is ready to work when called upon.
Sun, Sun, and More Sun
As the Florida sun beats down on your system’s outdoor unit, it can cause your unit to overheat, reducing system efficiency and potentially leading to equipment failure. Heat causes components to wear out more quickly, leading to premature equipment failure.
Increased demand during sunny days can also cause your system air filter to clog more quickly, reducing airflow and efficiency. Optimizing and repairing your system at various times of the year and helping your system with internal fixtures such as ceiling fans and blinds will reduce the strain on your system and help improve its efficiency, even in the relentless heat and sunshine of Florida summers.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
Your Florida HVAC system works hard to heat and cool your home, protecting against temperature and humidity levels and keeping you comfortable year-round. Regular care and maintenance of your system are necessary to ensure its continued function and preserve and protect indoor air quality.
Such a small investment can pay off with improved performance, an increased lifespan, and reduced repair and replacement costs. We are proud to offer affordable HVAC maintenance. To save you money and hassle, we offer our Home Comfort Club
Experience the Difference Quality Service Can Make
Serving valued clients in Oviedo, FL and the surrounding area, American Air & Heat and its committed professionals have your comfort and convenience in mind. With services related to HVAC repair, replacement, installation, and maintenance, we work with you to find home comfort solutions that work for you, your home, and your budget. We also offer ductless mini-split service, ductwork inspection and cleaning, and indoor air quality assessments. Contact us today to see how we can optimize your HVAC unit for the Florida season ahead; we’ve got you covered!
