It is no secret that the year-round hot temperatures in South Florida make air conditioning a necessity for all. South Florida consistently experiences long, intense summers with heat index values that regularly exceed 100°F. This generates such severe heat that, without proper air conditioning, indoor spaces will stay hot long after sunset. Even in the height of winter, average daily highs ranging from the mid-to-upper 70s°F leave Floridians to face no-break AC seasons. Naturally, this places intense strain on air conditioning units in South Florida homes, making it essential to practice intentionality when selecting an AC provider right for you. Air conditioning companies in Miami are especially important to consider due to the city’s unique climate challenges.
Not only is air conditioning in this area necessary to cool down spaces, but it also plays a key role in combating the extreme humidity that this area faces year-round. When the air is saturated with moisture in climates with high humidity, it prevents the body’s natural cooling process by trapping heat and making it even harder to stay cool in these areas. Therefore, a reliable air conditioning unit can remove excess moisture from the air in affected homes, providing instant and lasting relief.
Miami Specific Air-Conditioning Needs
Along with being a coastal city in South Florida, Miami has the most prominent tropical monsoon climate of all US cities. This implies that residents of Miami experience, on average, higher overnight lows and less seasonal relief than practically anywhere. Additionally, they suffer from humidity percentages, or dew points, reaching the mid-to-upper 70s, creating unbearable humidity that spans extensive periods of time.
While exposure to the ocean may provide some relief to Miami residents, being surrounded by water on three sides subjects Miami air conditioning systems to a greater amount of wear and tear than inland units. In turn, this makes Miami one of the most mechanically dependent markets for cooling systems in the United States. With this, air conditioning companies in Miami focus on supplying durable and reliable units in homes to limit maintenance issues and ensure that Miami residents are well-equipped to endure the unavoidable heat.
Inland Specific Air-Conditioning Needs
While inland areas of South Florida are able to avoid many of the wear and tear issues that coastal units often experience, this comes at a cost. These cities, like Weston, do not get the cooling effect of ocean exposure that coastal cities benefit from, resulting in higher peak afternoon temperatures and larger temperature fluctuations throughout the day. Naturally, this makes it difficult to maintain stable, cool in-home temperatures for residents of Weston and other inland Florida communities. Energy usage spikes often occur to combat the extreme temperature swings, making it essential to install air conditioning units in these homes that can withstand harsh conditions. Also, air conditioning units need to be run more intensely at peak hours, running the risk of oversizing and highlighting the importance of strong air conditioning units in homes.
Despite precautionary measures that may be taken to prevent air conditioner malfunctions, it is almost inevitable that homes in inland Southern Florida will encounter problems with their AC units at some point in their lives. Hence, this makes it vital to choose an air conditioning provider that is responsive to maintenance requests. Therefore, Weston AC repair policies should be a significant factor for Weston residents when choosing a trusted provider.
Extreme Weather HVAC Requirements in Southern Florida
Due to the natural disaster risks associated with its geography, South Florida is known to be a High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), specifically for areas like Miami and Weston that fall within Miami-Dade or Broward Counties. With this, they are subject to the strictest building codes to combat their high vulnerability from hurricane-force wind speeds (reaching up to 185 mph). Additionally, these areas suffer from flood risk, year-round extreme humidity, and salt air exposure.
Under the Florida Building Code, specific regulations exist in these counties governing HVAC installation. For instance, all outdoor condensers must obtain approved product certification, and the equipment must be properly tested for factors including wind resistance and structural integrity. Given the specificity of these conditions, not all national models qualify for installation in areas like Miami and Weston in High Velocity Hurricane Zones, making it important that residents in these areas check that their units are up to par with current standards.
Choosing an AC Provider Right for You
In South Florida, especially for residents of Miami-Dade or Broward County, choosing a qualified AC provider can be difficult. HVAC contractors should be able to demonstrate knowledge about the wind requirements and approval restrictions for units in this area, as well as have extensive experience in safely installing home units. Additionally, the year-round heat and high humidity levels in South Florida make moisture control and stable cooling equally as important. Staying comfortable in this climate cannot be done without a trusted and reliable HVAC provider, making it of utmost importance to choose the right provider for you.
