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How Extreme Heat Impacts Your Air Conditioner Lifespan

How Extreme Heat Impacts Your Air Conditioner Lifespan

Posted on August 4, 2025 By rehan.rafique No Comments on How Extreme Heat Impacts Your Air Conditioner Lifespan

Air conditioner outside of a brick residential home

We’ve all seen them. The memes that come out of a particularly sweltering heatwave. People frying eggs on the asphalt. Plastic mailboxes crumpled to the ground after partially melting. The list goes on. But what you don’t see are images of people’s HVAC units struggling to keep up with this influx of incredibly high temperatures. This equipment is hidden away in the dark recesses of many homes, out of the minds of the people who aren’t disciplined in their maintenance. But while we’re sharing these admittedly funny memes, our air conditioner lifespan could be shortening rapidly.

Any resident of Maryland knows the weather can be all over the place, and that means heatwaves. We’ve already seen a couple this year, so today, we’ll discuss how air conditioner lifespan is affected by high heat, preventative maintenance tips, and details on AC service and repair (should it come to that). Ready to boost your system’s longevity?

The Strain of Constant Operation

Have you ever worked a customer facing job? If so, you probably faced at least one rush that never seemed to end. You were helping one customer after another, unable to get a breather, and when it finally stopped, you were exhausted. In a way, it’s the same concept with an HVAC system. When the heat is reaching high 90s or even triple digits for a prolonged period, your system is constantly working to keep your house cool and comfortable. This puts significant strain on its components, contributing to rapid “aging.”

Here are common effects of this constant operation:

  • Higher energy consumption and utility bills that make you sweat even more
  • Moving parts that wear down faster—the compressor and fan motor in particular
  • A higher risk of a breakdown in the midst of scorching heatwaves

This continued use can be a detriment to air conditioner lifespan if you don’t stay on top of getting AC tune up services.

Refrigerant and Pressure Stress

It’s not just overwork that can cause issues either. When the outdoor temperature rises, it increases the pressure within your refrigerant lines. This ultimately lowers the efficiency of the refrigerant and makes it harder for your system to properly cool your home. Additionally, it can cause refrigerant leaks—which can possibly damage other components—and increased strain on the compressor. One or all of these things can lead to your system failing well before its end-of-life estimate. That’s why AC service and repair—especially following an extreme weather event like this—is crucial to its longevity.

Electrical System Wear

While you may be concerned about utility bills and refrigerant leaks, keep an eye on your AC’s electrical components during a heatwave, as well. The demanding work can result in overheating of contactors, circuit boards, and capacitors—especially if they’re already showing signs of aging.

Here’s what you should keep an eye out for:

  • Failure to start or frequent system cycling
  • Tripped breakers and blown fuses
  • Unusual noises from your outdoor unit
  • Burning smells

Electrical malfunctions are often the culprit when a system malfunctions during a hot spell. Without a timely AC tune up and repair, this could lead to system-wide damage.

Reduced Cooling Efficiency Over Time

When you’re working out, your twentieth rep isn’t nearly as easy as your first. It’s the same concept here. The longer your system has to work under extreme heat, the less efficient it will eventually become. Coils become dirty, parts wear out, and refrigerant doesn’t do its job quite as well. These all contribute to a system that slowly loses its fight.

If your home never quite reaches the set temperature or the system is running almost 24/7, it’s time to get it checked out. Not only are you not comfortable in the moment, but air conditioner lifespan can take a big hit when these symptoms aren’t addressed.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

You aren’t helpless, though! There are a few things you can do to protect your air conditioner from the toll extreme heat imposes upon it:

  • Keep the coils clean to allow for proper heat exchange
  • Change your air filters frequently—a minimum of once every three months
  • Keep the area around your outdoor unit clear of debris
  • Keep an eye on refrigerant levels, and give us a call if your cooling functions weaken
  • Listen for noises that could be cause for alarm, such as thumping or screeching

These steps are simple but can be quite effective in improving air conditioner lifespan. At the very least, they’ll keep things in working order until a technician is able to take a look at your air conditioner.

Don’t Skip AC Service and Repair

Air conditioning systems were made to combat heat and keep us comfortable, but when the temperatures get high enough, they need some assistance from us. Knowing the effects of overwork on air conditioner lifespan is only half the battle, though. It’s important to remain vigilant, performing small maintenance tasks and scheduling a regular AC tune up.

Our technicians at Holtzople know the importance and urgency of staying comfortable year-round. If you need to schedule service, don’t delay in getting in touch. We’re happy to make sure your system is ready for the heat!

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