Why Your AC Can’t Keep Up With Summer in Pleasant Prairie, WI

Have you noticed your AC operating on diminishing returns with every new summer? Whether you’re dealing with weak cooling or you’re always in fear of a shutdown, your system is clearly struggling to keep up.

Wisconsin’s climate can be rough on air conditioners thanks to its mixture of heat and humidity. If your AC isn’t keeping up in Pleasant Prairie, WI, we can break down why and offer a solution. Southport is your all-in-one home services brand for your heating and cooling needs. 

The Unique Climate of Pleasant Prairie 

Pleasant Prairie is nestled in Kenosha County in the southernmost portion of the state, creating a unique and rather dynamic climate. While this area sometimes experiences muggy summers, these seasons can just as easily become bone dry. 

The state’s close proximity to multiple major lakes brings in a higher amount of precipitation, while being far enough north to still have serious drops in temperature come winter. Overall, this dynamic climate can make you run your system continuously, which is just one reason why your AC struggles in the heat in Wisconsin. 

3 Main Reasons Why the Summer is Rough on Your AC 

We know AC and HVAC performance issues in Wisconsin like the back of our hand. While there could be even deeper reasons why you’re not getting the steady performance you’re used to, these reasons are easily the most common. 

1. Your System Runs More Frequently

The more often you turn on your system, the more it’ll struggle. Frequent usage wears out internal components faster, particularly the capacitor and the fan motor. 

Does that mean you should turn off your system and rely on other methods of cooling? Yes and no. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to save a little money and switch to the ceiling fan, summers in Pleasant Prairie can get pretty hot. Instead of sacrificing your comfort, it’s better to get a tune-up so you can keep your air conditioner in peak condition whenever you need it. 

2. There’s a Higher Risk of Overheating

Your system has automatic shut-off features in the event of overheating, which can badly damage internal parts and require a repair job. When the weather gets hot, your AC is even more likely to overheat.

3. Humidity Adds Another Level of Stress

Have you ever felt more sluggish on a humid day? Your AC feels the same way. A higher level of moisture traps more airborne contaminants like dust and dirt, resulting in filters that get clogged more quickly. We regularly meet with homeowners who can’t stand how humid their home gets in the warmer months.

Humid air also doesn’t feel nearly as cool as drier air, so you may leave the system on longer to compensate. Swing back up to our first reason on this list, and you can see how all these details start to stack up!

Additional Reasons Why Your AC Might Be Struggling

There are a few more reasons why your AC isn’t keeping up in Pleasant Prairie, WI. If any of these fit your situation, it may be time to reach out to a technician for maintenance:

• Your system is getting older (such as eight years or higher).
• You have a less energy-efficient model with a SEER rating of 14 or 16.
• You haven’t called for yearly maintenance in a while. 
• Your home gets hotter more easily, so you leave the system on longer. 
• You have dirty filters or clogged coils affecting its performance. 

How Can You Prepare Your AC for Summer?

If you’re not on top of your air conditioner’s health, it might decide to completely give up this summer. Wisconsin is only going to get warmer and wetter from here, so a little preparation will go a long way toward staying cool.

Change Out Your Filters

You should be swapping out your filters every two to three months. If you don’t use your air conditioner that often, you may be able to get away with another month or two. However, we recommend more frequency to reduce strain on your system and keep your indoor air fresh.

Ventilate Your Home

Consistent airflow is key to reducing stagnant, moist air. If your AC isn’t keeping up in Pleasant Prairie, try opening your windows and screen doors on a daily basis for an hour or two. When you later turn your air conditioner on, it’ll have a little less moisture to struggle with. 

Schedule Yearly Maintenance

Preparing your system for summer is easy when you schedule yearly maintenance visits. A technician will come over to inspect your unit, then perform a series of minor touch-ups and calibrations to keep it in peak condition.

Maintenance visits include useful tasks like:

• Cleaning gunk and grime from your condenser coils
• Swapping out filters or recommending new filters, depending on your needs
• Calibrating your thermostat to get the right readings
• Cleaning off your blower motor and fan 
• Testing your system’s airflow and listening for any odd noises 

When’s the last time you called for maintenance? If you want to be on the safe side, we’re ready to help with our air conditioning services. 

Get Your AC Ready for the Summer Heat With Southport

Don’t wait until a heat wave shuts down your air conditioner. If your AC isn’t keeping up in Pleasant Prairie, WI, you need a local brand that can fill in the gap. Southport is a local home services business that’s been providing peace of mind to Pleasant Prairie homeowners for over twenty years. 

We know summer should be filled with happy memories and great food, not fear of a cooling system breakdown. Our air conditioning services provide you with the full suite of installation, repair, and maintenance so you can easily stay cool. Check out our coupons or join up with our Shield Maintenance Program to stay within your budget without missing out on great service.

Don’t let Wisconsin’s sweltering weather bring you down. Schedule your appointment online to make sure your air conditioner can hold up to the summer heat!