It’s now summertime, and with it comes those sweltering heatwaves that make you feel like you’re living in a toaster oven. While some folks might be tempted to save a few bucks by turning off the air conditioning, there are some surprisingly bad things that can happen if you go AC-free during this scorcher. 

That’s right, no one likes a surprise bill, and yes, while you think you’re saving money by toughing this all out, what you’re actually doing is hurting yourself. How so? Well, here are some of the unexpected pitfalls that you can expect if you don’t have an AC running while the temperature starts to soar.

Fridges and Freezers Have to Work Harder, Therefore the Energy Bill Goes Up

You might think that turning off the air conditioning would save you money on your energy bill, right? Well, not so fast. When your home heats up, your fridge and freezer have to work extra hard to keep your food cold. These appliances are designed to operate efficiently in a reasonably cool environment. When the ambient temperature rises, they struggle to maintain the right internal temperatures, leading to longer running times and higher energy consumption. 

So, while you might save on AC, you could end up paying more as your fridge and freezer guzzle electricity to keep things cool. Now, needless to say, if a fridge has to work too hard, it can break, and those are really expensive! As in thousands of dollars, do you really want to spend that? So, your best bet is to look into your local HVAC company, let them look into your HVAC system, and make sure it’s energy efficient. That way, you’re saving a lot of money and a lot of hassle, too!

Heat Can Harm Your Electronics

So this actually goes hand in hand with what was being said above. Overall, your gadgets and gizmos are not fans of high temperatures- basically none of them! Electronics like computers, TVs, and gaming consoles can overheat if the temperature in your home gets too high. This can lead to slower performance, unexpected shutdowns, and even permanent damage in some cases. 

Laptops, in particular, can be sensitive to heat and might decide to take an unplanned vacation if they get too hot- so much for getting any work done on there, right? So it’s not just appliances, it’s basically all electronics, yes, your phone too!

Health Risks to Pets

Your pets just won’t be able to handle heat as well as you do. Dogs, cats, and other pets can suffer from heatstroke and dehydration just like humans; plus, they’re the ones with all that fur! So, without air conditioning, your home can become dangerously hot for your pets, putting their health at risk. Honestly, you might want to consider turning on the AC, even if just for a few hours, to keep them safe and comfortable.

Mold and Mildew Move In

This may or may not be the worst of all! But hot and humid conditions are a paradise for mold and mildew. So, when your home heats up, and the humidity rises, you create the perfect environment for these unwelcome guests to flourish. Just think about the health issues, and think about your possessions that’ll get destroyed by this! Not ideal, right?