CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Temperatures across Charlotte are the hottest they've been yet this spring, reaching near 90 degrees Wednesday, and air conditioners can be heard humming all around the city.
John McGough has a little extra incentive to make sure his house stays cool.
"I have a pregnant wife and knowing the heat is coming up and we have an antiquated unit," he said.
It's that sudden spike in the temperature, from 40 Tuesday morning to nearly 90 Wednesday, that's overloading his and other air conditioners across our area.
Service tech Manny Lopez said his schedule is stacking up with failing AC calls. Capacitors inside are stressing to catch up with this big spike in heat.
"It's just like a car. When you stop and push the gas right away too fast, there's a lot of stuff that can be abused," Lopez said.
With the heat backing down later next week, the same problem could happen again later when real summer weather comes to Charlotte.
Experts say the best thing residents can do is make sure air filters are properly cleaned to help the air flow freely to the house.
Spike in temperatures can overload AC units
This browser does not support the video element.