Key takeaways
- Pre-cool early before the worst afternoon heat.
- Keep the filter fresh so airflow is not restricted.
- Block sun and seal leaks to ease the load.
- Do not crank the thermostat down; it will not cool faster.
Sacramento heat waves can push past 105 degrees for days. That is exactly when ACs strain and fail. A little preparation keeps your system, and your home, ahead of the heat. Here is how.
Quick answer
Before and during a heat wave, pre-cool your home in the morning, keep a fresh filter in, close blinds and seal leaks to block heat, and run ceiling fans. Do not set the thermostat way down, it cools no faster and overworks the system. If cooling is already weak, address it before the heat peaks.
Pre-cool in the morning
Cool the home in the cooler morning hours and let it coast through the afternoon peak. Asking the AC to drag temperatures down at 4 p.m. on a 106-degree day is when systems strain and struggle.
Keep airflow clear
A fresh filter and unblocked vents let the system move air freely, which it desperately needs when working hard. A clogged filter during a heat wave is a common cause of a frozen coil, see our freezing guide.
Block heat at the source
Close blinds on sun-facing windows, seal obvious leaks, and avoid heat-generating appliances midday. Every bit of heat you keep out is heat your AC does not have to remove, see our cooling tips.
Avoid the big mistake
Setting the thermostat to 65 will not cool the house faster, it just runs the system nonstop and risks a breakdown. Set a steady, reasonable temperature and let the system maintain it.
AC not keeping up?
Do not wait for it to quit mid-heat-wave. We offer HVAC service across Sacramento.
