Located just west of the Wasatch Mountain Range and in the shadow of the famous Mount Timpanogos, Lehi, Utah has quickly become one of the fastest growing communities in the entire Utah Valley in recent years.
Like many other parts of our metro area, Lehi experiences snowy winter nights and scorching summer heat—as well as rapid temperature fluctuations on nearly a daily basis. And while the local climate simply defines a big part of life in Lehi, a lot of locals don’t quite understand how our rapid weather patterns take a significant toll on our HVAC systems.
The good news is that our HVAC service specialists in Lehi are here to help you better understand how you can reduce breakdowns, save money, and ultimately improve your year-round comfort while grappling with Lehi’s unique climate!
A Brief Overview of Lehi’s Climate
Lehi is known for having a semi-arid climate, which is marked by seasonal features like:
- Dry, hot summers where daytime temperatures reach upwards of 95°F
- Cold winters where nighttime temperatures regularly dip below freezing
- Sharp season transitions with both fall and spring being unpredictable
- Year-round low humidity with monsoon storms in late summer
Because there’s so much seasonal variety in our area, it makes it increasingly more important for homeowners to maintain a reliable HVAC system that’s capable of both efficient heating and cooling.
How Climate Impacts Residential HVAC Systems
Northern Utah’s regional climate is truly intense in comparison to the rest of the United States.
Although there are several ways that HVAC systems have been impacted by climate change, here are some of the top climatological impacts Lehi homeowners should know:
1. Hot Summers Require Higher AC Demand
Lehi’s summers are known for being a lot more than just hot, because they’re also relentlessly dry.
This forces homeowners to consistently run their air conditioner systems during the months of June, July, August and September. This constant AC usage can potentially create the following system issues:
- Coil and compressor strains
- Increased risks of overheating and refrigerant leaks
- Rising energy bills due to lack of AC maintenance
And in Utah’s harsh environment, even subtly underperforming AC systems can have a tough time keeping up with homeowner demands.
2. Cold Winters Stressing Residential Heating Systems
It’s normal for daily low temperatures to reach single digits during Lehi’s winters, and this is especially the case at night. For homes that use heat pumps or furnaces, prolonged heating demands in winter can lead to issues like:
- Blower motors and heat exchangers wearing out
- Uneven heating throughout a home
- Potential emergency calls when heating maintenance is needed during a deep freeze
It’s also important for Lehi homeowners to know that older furnaces over the age of 10 years are far more likely to fail during times of continuous straining.
3. Utah’s Air Can Dry Out Your HVAC System
Utah’s lack of humidity creates all sorts of unique HVAC issues, including:
- Dry indoor air, which can lead to cracked skin, respiratory issues and static electricity
- Blower fan and furnace filter stress that ends up circulating dust and particulates
- Reduced heat transfer efficiency
What Lehi Homeowners Can Do To Protect Their HVAC Systems
Although there’s a lot that homeowners in Lehi need to keep in mind regarding their HVAC maintenance and upkeep, here are some of the things that every local property owner should keep in mind:
1. Invest In Biannual HVAC Maintenance Appointments
The biggest thing that homeowners can do to protect their HVAC systems is to invest in HVAC maintenance appointments at least twice per year.
This will include a spring tune-up that prepares your AC for upcoming summer heatwaves, and a fall checkup that gets your furnace or heat pump system prepared to operate efficiently and safely during the winter.
And what’s great about biannual maintenance is that it keeps your system clean and consistently tested, and it also helps you identify lingering HVAC issues long before they turn into breakdowns.
2. Insulating & Sealing Your Property
Reducing your HVAC system’s load can go a long way to improve the system’s overall performance.
And because Lehi has such a unique climate, it’s often worth investing in attic/wall insulation, weatherstripping and caulking, and ductwork sealing services.
When you improve your property’s thermal envelope, it subsequently allows your HVAC system to only work as hard as it’s actually supposed to.
3. Consider Adding Whole Home Air Filtration
Because dry air is such a widespread problem during Lehi’s harsh winters, investing in whole home air filtration is often a great idea to support your HVAC system.
Whole home air filtration offers homes and businesses the following benefits:
- Improved indoor comfort and adequate indoor humidity levels between 30-50%
- More efficient heating system
- Wood flooring and furniture preservation
- Reduced static electricity
These benefits are particularly important for homes with pets, children and allergy sufferers.
4. Regularly Replacing Your Air Filters
It’s normal for pollen, dust and particulates to creep into the ductwork of Lehi properties, which is one big reason why air duct cleaning is so popular throughout the entire region.
It’s important for homeowners to check and replace their air filters around every 1-2 months, and air filter replacements should happen even more frequently during the wildfire and allergy seasons.
Many Lehi homeowners should also consider upgrading to MERV 8-13 filters to improve their overall ductwork filtration and lower their monthly energy costs.
Reach Out To Apex Clean Air When Your Property In Lehi, Utah Needs Top-Rated HVAC Support!
Lehi’s mix of cold and heat alongside its consistent dry air creates the perfect formula for HVAC system strains, which is why locals need to pay extra close attention to their home’s efficiency and comfort.
The good news is that the right HVAC strategy including air quality upgrades and seasonal maintenance can go a long way to keep residential systems running strong through every season.
Apex Clean Air is one of the top-rated HVAC service providers that supports the Lehi community, and we’re here to support your property with proactive care that helps you avoid unfortunate breakdowns during extreme summer heatwaves and winter freezes.
Reach out to us online or give us a call at 801-820-0576 to schedule your next HVAC service appointment with us today!