Summer can take a real toll on your home’s HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. Scorching temperatures, changing humidity, and increased water use can be a troublesome combination for homes with underprepared infrastructure. Get your home summer-ready with David Gray so these issues don’t impact your beach time!
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
Have you ever wondered why power outages often occur in the summer? These outages are frequently caused by the intense lightning storms that accompany summer weather. While summer power outages can be inconvenient, they can also be expensive. When power is restored, many electrical grids experience voltage spikes that can reach levels close to those of a lightning strike. When preparing for a power outage in the summer, it's important to unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from power surges.
Additionally, it's a good idea to leave one light on so you can easily see when the power has been restored.
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
Hot temperatures won’t harm your plumbing system, but there is a seasonal change that directly impacts your plumbing system: water use.
Homeowners usually experience more plumbing problems in the summer because they use significantly more water. Most of that extra water use is for outside fun, like pools, gardening, and watering the lawn. Between30% and 70% of summer water use is outdoors. Unfortunately, approximately half of outdoor water use is ultimately wasted due to evaporation.
The most common summer plumbing issues are:
- Leaks
- Sprinkler system failure
- Sewer line damage (usually from tree roots)
Read more: Home Energy Efficiency Tips To Save Money
There’s No Place Like Jacksonville in Peak Summer
Make the most of summer with professional home services from David Gray. 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 904-605-8190 or contact us online to schedule HVAC, electrical, or plumbing services in Jacksonville, FL, and the surrounding areas.