A variety of things can impact your HVAC system’s efficiency, from maintenance to thermostat settings and more. What about weather conditions? Can the climate impact your HVAC unit’s efficiency? Let’s look at some of the factors that can affect your unit.
Temperature’s Climate Impact
No matter how efficient a system you buy, it will be less efficient in extreme temperatures. Say you set your thermostat to 79 degrees at home. If the ambient temperature is 85 degrees, it won’t take long to get your house down to its target temperature. However, if the temperature is 95 degrees, it will take significantly longer. Your AC runs longer and uses more energy. The same is true of your furnace. Even though your thermostat setting stays the same, your system will use more energy in colder temperatures than in milder ones.
Fortunately, efficiency ratings are designed to account for this climate impact. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is calibrated to the climate of your specific area. It can tell you how much cooling your AC provides for the amount of energy it uses in a given season, factoring in both extreme and mild temperatures that may be encountered along the way.
Humidity’s Climate Impact
The other factor that affects your system is moisture, especially in Ohio’s high humidity. Part of your AC’s cooling process is extracting moisture from the air. The more moisture there is, the more energy it needs to extract it and bring the air down to a cool-enough temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier can help in this regard. It regulates your home’s humidity separately from the HVAC system, adjusting it to your preferred level and reducing the climate impact.
It’s also important to note that high temperature and humidity shouldn’t prompt you to readjust your thermostat or humidistat. Making the temperature lower won’t cause your home to cool any faster — but it will waste energy.
To learn more about the climate’s impact on your HVAC system, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services. We’ll help you find the best system for maximum home comfort in Dayton’s climate.
