You know that when Mother Nature turns up the heat outside, it can sometimes make you feel less than comfortable. You might feel hot and sticky, and you might not feel like being as active as usual. But, humid weather not only affects people. Did you know that high outdoor temperatures can affect the appliances in your home as well?
There are many different occurrences during the summer months that can cause concerns for the appliances in your home, but fortunately there are ways you can protect them. In this article, we’ll talk about three potential summertime hazards, how these situations can affect your appliances, and what you as a homeowner can do to safeguard them.
3 Ways Summer Weather Can Affect Your Appliances
High Heat & Humidity
Appliances in your home that use refrigerant, such as fridges, freezers, and air conditioners, are all affected by high heat and humidity. It’s important to place appliances like refrigerators and freezers in cool locations in your home, out of direct sunlight, and to make sure there is ample space around them. You’ll also want to make sure to clear any dirt, dust, or debris from your appliance’s coils, as dirty coils can cause the equipment’s compressor to run longer, at a higher temperature, eventually leading to damage.
Air conditioners are also subject to concerns when the temperatures outside soar. You should set your AC to a slightly higher temperature when you’re not at home – the Department of Energy suggests 78ºF. Also, take advantage of your programmable thermostat, if you have one. That way, you can easily set specific temperatures for home, away, and asleep – making it an easier lift for your home’s AC system. And, if your air conditioning system doesn’t seem to be working properly, check the air filter to make sure it’s clean. If not, replace it. If your system continues to have problems keeping your home cool, call a qualified HVAC professional to help.
Summer Storms
Summer storms can cause a whole host of problems for appliances. Heavy rains can cause basement flooding, so if you have any appliances that sit on your basement floor, they could be subjected to water damage. Placing appliances on elevated cement pads can help, but you may want to make sure you have the proper measures in place to keep your basement from flooding in the first place.
Additionally, storms can cause vegetation and debris to build up around the outdoor unit of your air conditioning system. After a storm occurs, you should check on any outdoor equipment, such as AC units and generators, and make sure they are clear of any branches, leaves, or debris that may have blown in during the storm.
Power Outages
Power outages unfortunately often go hand in hand with summer storms. A severe storm can cause the power to go out for several hours, sometimes even days. It’s important to make sure you keep your refrigerator closed during the outage, as opening the door can cause your appliance to warm up quickly, reducing the amount of time perishable food is safe. If you know a storm is coming, move perishables to the freezer, as that will keep them at a consumable temperature longer.
While total power outages are no fun, brown-outs – when the power is either at a low level or lights are flickering – can actually be more harmful to your household appliances. That’s because brown-outs cause your appliances to draw too much power, which can lead to damage. If you are experiencing a brown-out, the best course of action is to unplug all the appliances in your home.
What can I do if I need help with my appliances this summer?
No matter what the weather, when you need appliance repairs in your home, you can count on Expert Home Services to help you. We are pleased to provide you with quality repairs for dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, ovens, ranges and more, provided by our experienced technicians in a friendly, professional manner. Simply give us a call at (813) 632-8889 and we will be more than happy to help you.