Why Air Conditioners Can’t Keep Up in the 100-Degree Indianapolis Heat
How Many Degrees Can an Air Conditioner Cool?
“How many degrees can an air conditioner cool?” We get this question a lot!
During very hot summer weather, many homeowners notice their air conditioner struggling to maintain the desired temperature. This is normal, and there’s likely nothing wrong with your system.
How Many Degrees Can an Air Conditioner Cool
Your air conditioner is sized for typical summer temperatures. When outdoor temperatures are unusually high, even a properly functioning system may struggle to reach your desired indoor temperature.
Indianapolis summer temperatures typically average in the mid-80s, and that’s what most systems are designed to handle. If outdoor temperatures reach the 90s or higher, your air conditioner will work harder even if functioning properly. Most air conditioners are designed to cool about 15-20 degrees below the outdoor temperature. So if it’s 100° outside and your home is 80° inside, your A/C is likely working as designed.
Understanding this helps set realistic expectations during extreme heat. If your system isn’t cooling as much as you’d like, first check the outdoor temperature. Then verify the system is running and producing cool air. If everything checks out but it’s extremely hot outside, your system is likely fine. If the system isn’t running properly or producing cool air, it may need ac repair—give us a call at 317-203-8149.
What You Can Do
While you can’t control outdoor temperatures, you can reduce heat gain inside your home. These steps can help during extreme heat:
- Keep your blinds down during the day
- Wait until it’s cooler outside to do laundry and run the dishwasher
- Consider grilling outside to prevent oven heat from warming your home
- Set your thermostat higher to give your A/C a break
- Change your filter
- Cut back any shrubs around your A/C condenser
- Spray down condenser with a hose to remove debris
- Avoid closing too many vents—your system needs proper airflow
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
Like any mechanical system, your air conditioner needs regular maintenance. Many emergency service calls can be prevented with spring maintenance.
Regular maintenance includes cleaning the system and checking refrigerant levels. While this won’t necessarily make your home cooler during extreme heat, it helps prevent system failure.
Our Preventative Maintenance Program includes two annual visits for your AC and furnace. Call 317-203-8149 to learn more.
