For nearly 50 years, Colony Air Conditioning & Heating has served homeowners across the Frisco area. The company helps families stay comfortable through North Texas’ intense summers and unpredictable weather.
Still family-owned and operated, Colony Air Conditioning & Heating remains deeply rooted in the community. Today, the Everett family—mom, dad, son and daughter—all play a role in the business’s day-to-day operations.
Over decades of service calls, the Colony AC team has noticed a pattern: many homeowners don’t fully understand how their air conditioning system works. Everett said a few simple insights can help people protect their system, improve comfort and avoid unnecessary stress during the hottest months of the year.
1. Your AC was designed for a “normal” summer, not record heat
Many homeowners become concerned when their air conditioner struggles to keep up during extreme heat waves. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.
Air conditioning systems are sized using calculations based on a home’s characteristics, including window placement, insulation and ceiling height, along with the region’s typical peak temperatures.
In North Texas, systems are designed around what a normal hot summer day looks like, not the occasional 105-107 degree heat wave.
When temperatures soar well beyond those design conditions, even a properly functioning system may struggle to maintain very low thermostat settings. During prolonged heat waves, systems often run longer than usual, increasing wear and tear on equipment.
Homeowners can help their system perform at its best during these conditions in many ways.
These include:
- Regularly replacing air filters
- Rinsing off outdoor units
- Ensuring shrubs or fences aren’t blocking airflow around outdoor equipment
2. Turning the thermostat down won’t cool your home faster
When a home starts to feel warm, many people instinctively drop the thermostat much lower, hoping to speed up the cooling process.
“Air conditioners actually don’t work like that. They cool at a consistent rate, so regardless of how low you set the temperature, it won't cool any faster,” Everett said.
Setting the thermostat low causes wear on the system because of rapid cycling.
On very hot Texas days, extended run times are normal, and steady operation can actually be easier on the equipment than constant starting and stopping it.
3. Oversizing your AC system can create new problems
Some homeowners assume that installing a larger air conditioner is the best solution to extreme heat. However, this approach can create comfort issues during the summer.
Air conditioners don’t just cool a home; they also remove humidity from the air. If a system is oversized, it may cool the home too quickly and shut off before removing enough moisture. The result can be a humid, clammy feeling indoors.
For that reason, HVAC professionals design systems based on typical seasonal conditions rather than extreme outliers.
4. Your air filter affects more than air quality
Many people see their air filter as simply something that catches dust, but it plays a critical role in the overall performance of the system.
If a filter becomes clogged or is too restrictive, airflow through the system decreases. Everett compared it to blowing air through a blanket versus blowing air through a sheet. Reduced airflow can lead to uneven temperatures, higher energy bills and additional strain on motors and other internal components.
5. Bigger filters aren’t always better
When it comes to filters, thicker options aren’t always the best choice.
“The best filter is one that balances clean air with proper airflow,” Everett said.
A filter that’s too restrictive may trap more particles, but can also limit airflow through the system, negatively affecting performance over time.
Choosing the right filter and replacing it on schedule maintains efficiency and extends the life of the equipment. For one-inch filters, replace it monthly; for two-inch filters, every two months; and for four- to five-inch filters, every six months.
Helping homeowners stay comfortable
As temperatures continue to rise across North Texas, Everett said small maintenance steps and a better understanding of how air conditioners work can make a significant difference in both comfort and system longevity.
After nearly five decades serving local homeowners, Colony Air Conditioning & Heating remains focused on the same priorities it started with: honest advice, dependable service and helping families stay comfortable year-round.
Click here to learn more about Colony Air Conditioning & Heating, or to schedule service today.
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
