Weather Conditions & Your HVAC System

United States weather patterns vary greatly causing all sorts of stress on HVAC equipment.  Some areas of the country are known for causing even more wear and tear than anywhere else.

• Cottonwood Trees are notorious for plugging up condensers and air inlets with their fluffy seeds that they drop during the summer.  This can cause equipment to overheat and breakdown.
• Northern winters are especially harsh on heating and cooling equipment. Ice buildup on the outdoor condenser can cause damage to the housing and internal components.  While the extreme cold forces furnaces to run nonstop to keep homes warm.  All of this brutal weather really pays a toll on the equipment shortening its lifespan.
• Extreme Average Temperatures in other parts of the countries cause homeowners to need additional HVAC equipment.  In a majority of countries home NEED to have a furnace and air conditioner as the seasonal temperatures can vary from -15 degrees in the winter to 100 degrees in the summer forcing homes to have more equipment to keep the occupants comfortable.
• During cooler months rodents and other small animals try to take refuge inside of heating and cooling equipment in homes to avoid the cold temperatures causing damage to the internal components.

This is why Florida is such a popular destination to move to, retire, vacation, or even just pass through. Those who live here fully understand the benefits are living in a (mostly) stable climate.

• Dependability – During the summer months, the average temperature is around 90 degrees, while in the winter, temperatures run between 60-70 degrees. Of course, this can vary, however, it allows residents to plan and monitor energy usage and monthly costs. The rare use of a furnace or other heating methods is an additional cost break.
• Increases HVAC Lifespan – Especially during the winter months, periodical use of your HVAC unit will put less stress on the unit itself. This will allow the system to live a longer life.
• Promotes Energy Efficiency – Due to the stable Florida climate, your HVAC system will not be used as harshly as it would in say, northern Wisconsin. You will be able to keep the temperature set at a comfortable, relatively low number that will result in a decline of energy consumption!

If you currently are not a resident of the state of Florida, your HVAC system can take a beating from a variety of weather changes throughout the year. Below are a few potential HVAC issues you may encounter with crazy weather patterns. Don’t let this worry you! Contact a profession technician in your area with questions and concerns.  Ultimately, Florida doesn’t have perfect, sunny weather 24/7. Hurricanes and storms can definitely occur and potentially wreak havoc on your HVAC system. To prevent something like this from happening, read through our blog post, 3 Precautions to Take When a Storm Hits. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a repair/installation, give Gulf Coast Air Systems a call at 813-689-2082!