Should I keep AC running while away from home in CA? Try these money-saving tips
Summer is officially here in California.
To kick off the season, parts of California are under an extreme heat warning.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory warning of major heat risks across desert regions in California, including the cities of Barstow and Baker.
On Wednesday, the weather agency also warned of moderate heat risk across the Sacramento Valley.
After reading about how setting the air conditioner to 78 degrees helps save money in the summer, a reader asked our journalists with How to California — a community-driven series to help readers navigate life in the Golden State: Should I set my AC to a certain temperature while I’m away on vacation or turn it off completely?
If you’re going on a trap or just stepping out for the day, here’s how to manage your air conditioner while you’re gone:
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McClatchy’s service journalism team, focused on helping our readers navigate daily life, works in communities across the state, including San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Merced, Modesto and Sacramento.
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Should I turn off the AC while away from home?
According to Pacific Gas & Electric, it’s better to turn off your AC unit if you will be away from home for more than four hours.
If you have a smart thermostat, PG&E said, you can schedule your AC to switch on about half an hour before you return to pre-cool your home.
When you need to step out for less than four hours, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District said you should “consider setting back temperatures 5 to 8 degrees.”
This will “save around 5% to 10% on cooling costs for every two degrees you raise the temperature,” SMUD said.
What are best ways to lower summer energy bills?
According to PG&E and SMUD, the best ways to keep electricity costs down and save money on energy bills include blocking direct sunlight into your home.
SMUD recommends shades and blinds to keep direct sunlight from getting in.
This can make it easier for your air conditioner to cool your home.
“Sunlight passing through windows heats your home and makes your air conditioner work harder,” PG&E said.
How else can I keep electricity costs down?
Here are more energy-saving tips from SMUD:
- Keeping air vents clear so your system can work efficiently.
- Using fans to cool your home.
- Cleaning HVAC filters every month during peak cooling or heating seasons.
- Setting thermostat to 78 degrees.
- Sealing air leaks by replacing old caulking and adding weatherstripping around windows and doors.
- Checking insulation and replace any that’s damaged to help keep cool air inside.
- Inspecting your equipment often to make sure everything’s working properly.
This story was originally published June 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Should I keep AC running while away from home in CA? Try these money-saving tips."
