Summer can put a significant strain on your home's HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. The combination of high temperatures, fluctuating humidity, and increased water usage can create challenges for homes with inadequate infrastructure. Trust Valley Heating & Cooling to prepare your home for summer and ensure these issues don't interfere with your beach time!
Common Summer HVAC Problems
As temperatures rise, so does your air conditioning unit’s workload. Summer temperatures cause your air conditioner (AC) or heat pump to run more frequently and for longer periods. This adds considerable wear and tear on your system and contributes to an increased risk of common summer HVAC issues, like:
- Refrigerant leaks
- Dirty condenser coils
- Blocked condensate drains
- AC failure
All of these summer home AC problems have immediate consequences. For example, a poorly maintained AC system has a lower cooling capacity, increases your energy bills, and may require emergency AC repairs if it fails unexpectedly. As many parts of the country experience longer, hotter summers, more Americans are using their AC units more often, and older systems are more likely to wilt under the heat!
Read more: Save Money With These Energy Efficiency
Common Electrical Problems in the Summer
Air conditioning units, heat pumps, and even your home’s ceiling fan are often all powered by your home’s electrical system. While 52% of residential heating plans run on natural gas or heating oil, cooling is often entirely powered by electricity. That means summer heat can put additional strain on circuits, causing annoying tripped circuits, overheated outlets, and other problems.
Summer Power Surges
While power surges can occur in any season, they’re significantly more common during summer thunderstorms. Lightning strikes may cause power surges, damaging sensitive electronics like appliances, computers, and televisions. With frequent and strong storms in our area, we recommend preparing for power outages in the summer by installing whole-home surge protectors to safeguard your favorite devices.
Summer Power Outages
Have you ever wondered why power outages often occur in the summer? These outages are frequently caused by the intense lightning storms that accompany summer weather. While summer power outages can be inconvenient, they can also be expensive. When power is restored, many electrical grids experience voltage spikes that can reach levels close to those of a lightning strike. To prepare for potential summer power outages, it's important to unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from power surges.
Additionally, it's a good idea to leave one light on so you can easily see when the power has been restored.
It’s Not Just the Heat: Common Summer Plumbing Problems
Hot temperatures won’t harm your plumbing system, but there is a seasonal change that directly impacts your plumbing system: water use. Homeowners usually experience more plumbing problems in the summer because they use significantly more water. Most of that extra water use is for outside fun, like pools, gardening, and watering the lawn.
The most common summer plumbing issues are:
- Leaks
- Sprinkler system failure
- Sewer line damage (usually from tree roots)
There’s No Place Like Decatur in Peak Summer
Make the most of summer with professional home services from Valley Heating & Cooling. Our trained technicians will inspect your home’s system and make reliable recommendations to prevent damage and prolong the functional lifespan of your equipment. Enjoy a safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient summer with no unexpected problems!
Call 256-474-7550 or contact us online to schedule HVAC, electrical, or plumbing services in Decatur, Athens, and the surrounding areas.