Are you having a tough time staying cool in Sacramento this summer? You’re not alone!

A recent Sacramento heat wave sent the temperature soaring to 109 degrees Fahrenheit. This set a Sacramento heat record and made it almost impossible for people to get comfortable in the extreme heat. It also pushed just about every HVAC system in the Sacramento area to the brink and sent Sacramento HVAC companies scrambling to help homeowners in need of assistance.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like the Sacramento Heat is going to give people a break anytime soon, either. Studies have shown that climate change is likely going to lead to even more dangerous heat waves hitting Sacramento both this year and in the years to come.

This will make it increasingly important for you to figure out the best ways to stay cool and safe. Here is a Sacramento HVAC guide that’ll help you accomplish this goal.

Make Sure You Have a Fresh Air Filter in Your HVAC System

When is the last time you replaced the air filter in your HVAC system? If you did it way back in the spring, it’s probably time to put a new one in place.

The average air filter is only going to last for about 3 months before needing to be replaced. If you push it much further than that, it’s going to take a toll on your Sacramento HVAC system. Your air conditioning system will have to strain harder than it should needs to in order to pull air from your home through its ductwork.

You might also find that a dirty air filter will affect the indoor air quality in your home. This is the last thing you’re going to want when you’re stuck inside for days on end during a Sacramento heat wave.

Set Your HVAC System’s Thermostat to the Right Temperature

In the midst of a Sacramento heat wave, you might be tempted to set your HVAC system’s thermostat as low as it can possibly go to cool your home off. But you should know that this isn’t always going to be the best approach to take.

Generally speaking, most HVAC systems will only be able to cool houses off about 20 degrees lower than the outside temperature. So in the event that the Sacramento heat climbs up over the 100-degree mark, you’re probably not going to be able to get your home’s indoor temperature down to, say, 70 degrees.

It would be best to set your HVAC system’s thermostat to about 20 degrees lower than the temperature outside. It’ll give it a more realistic chance to cool your home off without running all day long and not producing any results.

Keep the Window Treatments in Your Home Closed on Hot Days

During other times of the year, you might like to open up all the window treatments throughout your home to let natural light shine into your house. But this will not be a good idea during the summertime and, more specifically, during a Sacramento heat wave.

If you leave your window treatments open on hot days in Sacramento, the sun is going to increase the temperature in your home dramatically. This is going to force your HVAC system to have to work way harder than normal in an attempt to keep your house cool.

By simply closing your window treatments, you can make things easier on your HVAC system. Giving up natural light in your home will be a small sacrifice to make when it means being able to beat the Sacramento heat.

Turn On Any Ceiling Fans You Have in Your Home

If you happen to have ceiling fans in your home, it would be worth turning them on during a Sacramento heat wave, especially when they’re located in rooms that you and your family use a lot. These ceiling fans can help to make these rooms a little cooler than they would be otherwise.

Just make sure you have your ceiling fans set to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This will enable them to push cool air back toward the floors where it’ll benefit you the most.

Avoid Using Appliances in Your Home and Adding to the Extreme Heat

Did you know that just about all of the appliances you have in your home will produce at least a little heat when they’re turned on? From your oven and your clothes dryer to your dishwasher and your refrigerator, you’ll feel some heat coming off them and making your home a little warmer.

You aren’t going to be able to stop using all of your home’s appliances during a Sacramento heat wave. Your refrigerator, for example, will obviously need to stay turned on.

But if you can steer clear of using things like your oven and your clothes dryer, it’ll prevent them from making your home even warmer than it already is. You should try to live without them if you can.

Schedule Sacramento HVAC Maintenance and Repairs as Necessary

Do you suspect there might be something wrong with your home’s HVAC system this summer? Instead of turning a blind eye to the potential problem and hoping for the best, you should call on one of the local HVAC services in Sacramento to help you.

A company that specializes in heating and cooling supply in Sacramento can inspect your HVAC system to see what seems to be wrong with it. They can then perform the proper maintenance and/or repairs to get it back up and running again.

They can also advise you on whether or not you should consider installing a new HVAC system. This might be the key to beating the Sacramento heat once and for all.

Don’t Let the Sacramento Heat Wear You Down This Summer

Is the Sacramento heat starting to wear you down and make you wish it was winter? Instead of continuing to suffer, you should touch base with a Sacramento HVAC company that can provide you with the HVAC services you need to cool your home off.

American Energy Heat & Air can help you with any HVAC issues you might be experiencing. Contact us now to schedule an appointment.