High temperatures and fluctuating humidity can challenge your home. A summer-ready home requires proper maintenance and preventive HVAC, electrical, and plumbing repairs. Discover expert tips from Cunningham Associates to prepare your home.
Common Summer HVAC Problems
Rising temperatures mean increased air conditioning use. Once you’ve transitioned from heating to cooling, your air conditioning system becomes a critical component of daily comfort and health. As outdoor temperatures increase, your AC unit or heat pump runs for longer periods and more often to keep your home cool. That extra strain can lead to a host of summer HVAC issues, including:
- 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: Ways To Improve Home Energy Efficiency
Common Electrical Problems in the Summer
All that extra AC use is usually powered by one source: your home’s electrical system. Unlike heating systems, roughly 52% of which are powered by heating oil or natural gas, nearly every kind of AC unit runs on electricity.
In the home, increased energy use can lead to overloaded circuits, especially if you use a window or portable AC unit. Overloaded circuits can cause recurring tripped circuits, overheated outlets, and risk failure or damage to any devices plugged into those circuits.
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
Power outages often occur in the summer due to the intense, windy storms that can sweep through during warm summer days. While summer power outages can be inconvenient, they can also be costly. When power is restored, many electrical grids can experience voltage spikes that approach levels comparable to those of a lightning strike. To prepare for summer power outages, it’s important to unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from power surges.
It’s also a good idea to leave a single light on, so you know when the power has been restored.
Common Summer Plumbing Problems—Don’t Blame the Heat
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 Atlanta in Peak Summer
Make the most of summer with professional home services from Cunningham Associates. 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!
To schedule HVAC, electrical, or plumbing services in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and the surrounding areas, call 770-343-7565 or contact us online.