How California Winters Affect Your HVAC System

While California is known for its idyllic weather, the winter months bring weather changes that can majorly impact your HVAC system. Cooler temperatures, increased precipitation, and those legendary Santa Ana winds, among other things, can all negatively affect your air conditioner and heating system.

The better you understand the seasonal impacts of California weather, the more effectively you can complete seasonal maintenance. Staying on top of your HVAC maintenance will keep your system working optimally, preserving your comfort and keeping energy bills low. Read on to learn how California weather impacts your HVAC system.

Cold Weather

Since California stays warm most of the year, you may not use your heating unit until the cold winds finally arrive. Desert nights can be chilly, even in Southern California! When you finally turn on your heater, it can release all the debris built up over the months of non-use. This can cause clogs in furnace pipes and ventilation systems.

This rush of debris can rapidly deteriorate air quality, which is why it’s important to conduct air quality tests once you’ve returned to using your AC unit. Additionally, particle buildup can impair your heating unit’s efficiency, reducing its ability to warm your home and causing higher-than-average energy bills. Regular maintenance ensures that your heater, whether you have a furnace or heat pump, is ready to work!

Your heater isn’t the only aspect of your HVAC system impacted by cold winds — they can also damage air conditioner components. Cold weather can affect the evaporator coils and refrigerant levels, reducing its ability to cool your home once summer returns.

Temperature Fluctuations

California temperatures can fluctuate wildly, causing all kinds of distress to your HVAC system. There are often 30-degree differences between high and low temperatures, sometimes within the same week or even the same day! This can cause your heating unit to release excess heat, damaging its internal components. Older systems deteriorate more quickly than new models, especially if they haven’t been well-maintained.

Schedule seasonal tune-ups to ensure your unit is prepared for California’s temperamental temperatures. A professional HVAC technician can conduct thorough heater or AC maintenance to keep your home comfortable year-round.

Increased Winds

Sunshine isn’t the only thing California is known for. The famous Santa Ana winds blow from October through March, subjecting your HVAC unit to arid and hot winds over a prolonged period of time. The strain they place on your air conditioner or heating system can damage the exterior portions and loosen internal parts, causing homeowners to seek air conditioner and heater repair.

These intense winds can also stir up dust, increasing the amount of debris clogging your air conditioner and heating unit. They can also spread allergens, forcing you to replace your filters or conduct more thorough HVAC maintenance.

An additional consideration caused by the proximity to the coast is the impact of salty air on your HVAC system. The intense winds pick up salt and moisture from the ocean, corroding the internal components of your AC and heater. This isn’t just a problem for coastal homes — you can experience the effects of salty air up to 100 miles away! The air condenser and compressor are most at risk of corrosion since they are located outside of your HVAC unit, but ventilation pipes can also be damaged. The more salt in the air, the faster your system corrodes. Regular inspections are essential to identify and repair damage before it reaches catastrophic levels.

Increased Rains

Alongside cooler temperatures, winter also brings more frequent rain. Excessive precipitation can damage your HVAC system if it gets into the internal components, especially in the wiring. Moisture growth and rust are other issues caused by increased precipitation, which leads to unhealthy air quality. Professional HVAC technicians can inspect your air conditioner or heater for cracks, which increase the likelihood of moisture getting into your HVAC system.

Increased Humidity

As if winds and rain weren’t enough, increased humidity poses another threat to an efficient HVAC system. High humidity increases the potency of hot and cool temperatures, increasing discomfort and forcing your HVAC unit to work harder. We advise monitoring your thermostat levels when humidity is high to ensure they are correctly set to address your needs.

Careful monitoring will also prevent your heater or air conditioner from turning on too frequently, which increases strain on your system and causes energy bills to skyrocket. By ensuring the thermostat settings are always accurate, you can prolong your HVAC system’s lifespan.

Reliable HVAC Maintenance from ProFlo

At ProFlo, we have the tools and know-how to ensure that your HVAC system is always ready for the California weather. We can conduct thorough inspections and seasonal tune-ups to keep your air conditioner and heating unit working at peak efficiency. Our HVAC technicians provide detailed estimates so you feel confident about where your money is going. Whether you need a filter replacement or an AC replacement, ProFlo can help! Call us today at 951-694-1300 or contact us online for a free estimate.