High temperatures, fluctuating humidity, and dramatically increased water use can wreak havoc on your home. A summer-ready home is prepared for these seasonal challenges with the right maintenance and preventive HVAC, electrical, and plumbing repairs. Learn how to prep your home with expert tips from Pro Plumbing.
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!
Common Summer Plumbing Problems—Don’t Blame the Heat
While warm temperatures don’t directly affect your plumbing system, increased water usage sure can!
Most Americans use considerably more water during the summer months, primarily due to activities like watering the lawn, gardening, and using pools. Between30% and 70% of summer water use is outdoors, and roughly half of that water is ultimately wasted due to evaporation.
Homeowners tend to experience more plumbing problems in the summer because increased demand tends to intensify existing issues that may otherwise go unnoticed. Leaky faucets, partially clogged drains, and old, damaged pipes are more noticeable—and more likely to fail—as water demand increases.
The most common summer plumbing issues are:
- Leaks
- Sprinkler system failure
- Sewer line damage (usually from tree roots)
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 so many frequent, strong storms in our area, we recommend preparing for power outages in summer with whole-home surge protectors to protect your favorite devices.
Summer Power Outages
Power outages often happen in the summer due to intense lightning storms. While these outages can be inconvenient, they can also be costly. When power is restored, electrical grids may experience voltage spikes similar to those caused by lightning strikes. To protect sensitive electronics from power surges, it's wise to unplug them during potential summer outages.
Additionally, it's a good idea to leave one light on so you can easily see when the power has been restored.
There’s No Place Like Lexington in Peak Summer
Make the most of summer with professional home services from Pro Plumbing. 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!
Call 336-892-8105 or contact us online to schedule HVAC, electrical, indoor air quality, or plumbing services in Trinity, Salisbury, and the surrounding areas.