As the Heat Dome smothers the Eastern United States, EnviroControl Systems is deluged with calls asking why a building’s air-conditioning unit isn’t keeping up with the extreme heat.

There are several possibilities. Improperly sized air-conditioning units, lack of regular HVAC maintenance, poor building insulation, and aging equipment nearing the end of its life expectancy struggle to keep up with record-breaking temperatures. This is why regular AC maintenance for both commercial HVAC systems and residential cooling systems is critical for reliable performance.

Finally, many building operators and homeowners don’t understand how air-conditioning units are designed to work. Frankly, your air-conditioner is not designed by the manufacturer for 100-degree weather. There may be nothing wrong with your system. Units manufactured for use in the Midwest operate best up to about 93 to 95 degrees. Most summer days normally remain within the 80-degree range, nudging occasionally into the low 90s. Central air-conditioners are designed to handle those temperatures.

However, when outdoor temperatures rise well above the manufacturer’s design set point, the unit may not keep up with the stifling temperatures.

Generally, you can expect your air-conditioner to keep indoor temperatures about 20 degrees below the outdoor temperature.

When the outdoor temperature reaches 100 degrees, your HVAC system may be working properly, but indoor temperatures may struggle to get above the high 70s in your home.

You may feel uncomfortable, but your air-conditioner is actually doing its job.

EnviroControl Systems specializes in the design and installation of energy-efficient, high-performance HVAC systems tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. With a proven track record of executing complex projects across a wide range of sectors, our team is committed to excellence, reliability, and long-term partnership