Are Solar Air Conditioners Enough For Extreme Heat Waves?

Even if we stop emitting greenhouse gases today, extreme heat events will likely worsen over the coming decades. This year, we’ve seen record-breaking heat waves across Europe and extreme heat events throughout North America and the rest of the world.

Unfortunately, this is something we are going to have to live with, and we all need to do our part to reduce our emissions and combat the worst effects of climate change. Solar heat pumps or solar air conditioners are the best technology we have, but are they enough in extreme heat? Let’s find out.

HotSpot Energy Solar Air Conditioner Specs

HotSpot Energy is by far the most well-known solar air conditioner. They come in two sizes; the ACDC12C and the ACDC18C. The numbers refer to their BTUs for both heating and cooling, 12,000 and 18,000 for each.

Generally speaking, you should divide the number of BTUs per hour by 20 to determine their maximum square footage. That means that an ACDC12C would be perfect for a 600 sq ft home. However, there are many variances to this rule, which we will discuss.

How Effective Are Solar Air Conditioners in Extreme Heat?

The term “extreme heat” may mean different temperatures for different people. Someone living in Arizona may be perfectly comfortable with 90F (32.2C), whereas someone from New England may consider that extreme. For the sake of argument, let’s assume most households want to maintain 75F (23.8C) in their homes for comfort.

In that case, you will need to consider how much heat is coming into your house, how much space you need to cool, and how to optimize your cooling system. So, how will a solar AC work in this environment?

Above 95F (35C)

Controlling heat above 95F or 35C is extremely difficult for window air conditioners, and heat pumps are often attacked for being too insufficient. Is that true?

In this case, no. HotSpot Energy solar ACs run with the same cooling power as a medium-large window AC, but with only half of the energy demand. Also, if it’s 95F and sunny outside, your solar panels will likely offset this energy entirely.

However, its ability will also depend on the home and size. If your home is energy-efficient and properly sealed, then a HotSpot Energy ACDC18C should have no problem keeping a medium-sized home, up to 900 sq ft (83.6 sq m). For homes with poor insulation or seals, the ACDC18C may have trouble with cooling 600 sq ft (56 sq m) or more.

What Else Can We Do to Stay Cool?

If you want to stay cool without harming the environment further or breaking the bank on your electric bill, there’s plenty you can do. First, you can start by closing the seals around your windows and doors. If you can do this yourself, it shouldn’t cost more than $10, but hiring a professional won’t cost too much compared to long-term savings.

Next, you can keep your system running during the day, which will dramatically reduce your cooling needs after sunset and primarily use solar energy. This will save you money and keep your home as cool as possible.

Finally, stay hydrated and avoid too much time in the sun. Make sure your children and pets have access to cold water during extreme heat waves and turn your system onto high when you need it!

Of course, you can also invest in energy-efficient windows and more solar heat pumps. They will save you money in the long run, but they will require an upfront investment.

Let’s All Do Our Part

HotSpot Energy solar air conditioners are one of the best climate solutions that nobody is talking about. Heating and cooling account for up to 40% of all emissions, making solar heat pumps a perfect way to achieve net zero emissions at home and keep yourself safe from the worst effects of climate change.

Keep reading our blog for more tips to help you stay prepared, and buy a HotSpot Energy solar AC today with free shipping and a price match guarantee!