Don’t Get Hot Under The Collar

The next 10 days are predicted to be the hottest for Sacramento in recent years.  Are you ready?

Here are some quick tips to make sure your a/c system works to the best of its ability and also some ways to try and stay cool.

• Check your central heating and air system filter(s).  An air conditioner works at its optimal efficiency and capacity with a nice clean unobstructed air flow.  This happens in two places.  The filter (typically located in the ceiling or furnace) and the outdoor air conditioner.
  • If you have a washable filter, wash it.  If you have a throw away filter, replace it.
  • If your air conditioner is outside on the ground, make sure it is free from any obstructions such as bushes or vines. Vines can be especially invasive and if they grow up into the outdoor coil, can cause major damage to the system.
• Don’t set your thermostat too low.  Turning the temperature down really low will not make the system cool any quicker. In fact, you can do major damage if the coil ices up.  Ice expands and can lead to hairline cracks in the coil. Now you are looking at an expensive repair or replacement, and no one wants that!
  • Lower in 4-5 degree increments at a time. If its 85 in the house, lower stat to 80. Once it reaches 80, then set down to 75-78 (if that is where you like it).
• Do set your thermostat to COOL first thing in the morning. Set it for just a couple of degrees warmer than you will want it later in the day. If the house warms up too much during the day, the air conditioner will never be able to catch up. Example: I like my thermostat set to 78^ when I am home. So I will turn the thermostat on at 80^ when I leave in the morning, and can drop it down to 78^ when I get home and it doesn’t have to work as hard. It also really does save you more money overall, especially with SMUD Time-of-Use now in effect.
• Replace the batteries in your thermostat.  Preferably with Lithium batteries that won’t leak. Most thermostats that require batteries use an AA or AAA size.
  • Not all thermostats require batteries. Wi-Fi smart phone controlled thermostats are hardwired so you can skip this step.
  • Not sure how to replace the batteries? Here is a video from our technicians to help:  How to change batteries in a thermostat video.
• Does the system seem like it isn’t performing to the comfort level you expect?  If you have a thermometer, turn the air conditioner on and let it run for about 20 minutes.  Stick the thermometer in the vent in any of the rooms where the air comes out.  Then place the thermometer at the air intake (typically in a hallway near the thermostat).  If the air coming out is at least 18^ cooler than the air being pulled in, you are getting a standard “split” and the system is working correctly.

Looking for ways to try and stay cool during the heatwave?

• Ceiling Fans– If you have them, use them!  Air movement makes you feel about 5 degrees cooler than the actual air temperature.  This means you can have your thermostat set to 80, but you’ll feel like you are running it at 75!
• Oscillating or Box Fans– Same as ceiling fans, just portable.  Put them in the rooms you are in.  On cooler nights, open the windows and place fans in front of them to help pull the cooler air in.  Here in Sacramento, this is a great way to take advantage of the Delta breezes.
  *One thing to note with room fans:  They cool people, not rooms.  It is that evaporation off the skin that makes it feel cooler.  So if you aren’t in a room, there really isn’t a reason to keep a ceiling or room fan running.
• Drapes and Window Blinds– Keep all the drapes shut and blinds closed as much as possible.  Yes, your house may feel a little dungeon like, but keeping the sunlight out keeps the house from heating up.
• Avoid the Oven– This doesn’t mean you get to eat out, sorry to disappoint!  But think about making salads or sandwiches on days it is too hot to cook.  Use your slow cooker or pressure cooker which won’t heat up the house. Or grill outside if you can.
• Do Less Housework– Running the dishwasher or dryer during the hottest part of the day will add to the heat load in your home as well as the energy consumption load of your utility company.  Think of it as a good excuse to relax with a good book while saving money.
• Light it Up– Change incandescent light bulbs to LED.  Not only do they have a longer life span, the don’t give out the amount of heat the old style bulbs do.  It may not seem like much, but every little bit helps. Especially if you have all the blinds closed!
• Bedtime Routines– Right before bed, spray down your top bed sheet with water in a spray bottle.  Turn on a room or ceiling fan and crawl into bed. It will be nice and cool (at least for a little while) and help you get to sleep.Do you have tips you would like to share? Please feel free to comment below!

If your air conditioner goes down this weekend, here are a couple things you can try yourselves:

• Is the fan inside the house running? If not, check the main breaker box and reset the one labeled Fan/Air Handler/Furnace.
•  Is the fan outside running? If not, check the main breaker box and reset the one labeled A/C.
• If the outdoor unit still isn’t working, there is a “disconnect box” next to the unit attached to the house. Pull the fuses out and get tested or replace (hardware stores can help). Make sure replacement fuses are time-delay fuses. Here is how to replace fuses: How to replace fuses video.

Other tips: