{"id":357785,"date":"2026-06-12T12:30:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T12:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/357785\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T12:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T12:30:11","slug":"ca-weather-should-i-leave-ac-on-while-away-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/357785\/","title":{"rendered":"CA weather: Should I leave AC on while away from home?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As parts of California prepare to swelter under a triple-digit heat wave<\/a>, statewide forecasts predict a hotter-than-usual summer<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n

Temperatures are expected to climb<\/a> well above 100 degrees across portions of Northern California and the Central Valley this week, with Sacramento forecast to reach as high as 102<\/a> degrees.<\/p>\n

\u201cWarmer temperatures could lead to increased electricity usage as customers often increase electricity usage to cool their homes,\u201d Pacific Gas and Electric Co. wrote in a statement to The Sacramento Bee.<\/p>\n

This \u201ccould increase their electric bills compared to other times of the year,\u201d PG&E said.<\/p>\n

Is it cheaper to leave your air conditioner running while you\u2019re away<\/a> from home?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what energy experts said can help you save money during the California heat:<\/p>\n

BEHIND THE STORY MORE <\/a> Why we did this story <\/p>\n

Our community-driven series \u2014 How to California \u2014 is here to answer your questions<\/a> about state laws, history, culture, recreation and travel in the Golden State. <\/p>\n

McClatchy\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n

Ask us your questions \u2014 big and small \u2014 by emailing howtocalifornia@mcclatchy.com<\/a> or filling out a form here. <\/a><\/p>\n

\"Woman \u201cWarmer temperatures could lead to increased electricity usage as customers often increase electricity usage to cool their homes,\u201d PG&E said. Bigstock Should I keep AC running while away from home in California?<\/p>\n

According to PG&E, it\u2019s better to turn off your AC unit<\/a> if you’ll be gone for an extended period of time.<\/p>\n

\u201cPG&E recommends setting your AC higher or off when you\u2019re away, rather than running it all day,\u201d the utility company said on its website.<\/p>\n

If you have a smart thermostat, you can schedule your AC to switch on about half an hour before you return to pre-cool your home<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsider using a programmable or smart thermostat, which lets you cool (or heat) your home when energy demand is lower and costs are typically reduced,\u201d PG&E said.<\/p>\n

According to PG&E, smart thermostats can save the average California customer between $50 and $78 per year.<\/p>\n

What if I\u2019m only leaving the house for a few hours?<\/p>\n

Turning the AC off completely might not be the most efficient option if you need to step out for only a few hours.<\/p>\n

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District recommends raising the thermostat by 5 to 8 degrees<\/a> when you\u2019ll be away for less than four hours.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll save around 5% to 10% on cooling costs for every two degrees you raise the temperature,\u201d SMUD said.<\/p>\n

What is the best thermostat setting to save money, energy?<\/p>\n

Setting your thermostat to 78 degrees<\/a> during hot weather can help reduce cooling costs while keeping your home comfortable.<\/p>\n

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save up to 10% a year on cooling costs by adjusting their thermostat 7 to 10 degrees<\/a> from its normal setting for about eight hours a day.<\/p>\n

When should I limit electricity use?<\/p>\n

In addition to adjusting the thermostat, energy experts recommend reducing electricity use during peak-demand hours, when rates are often highest.<\/p>\n

\u201cElectricity use is highest in the late afternoon and evening,\u201d PG&E said.<\/p>\n

Both PG&E and SMUD said customers should limit energy use between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. through Sept. 30, when summer rates are in effect<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Do shades and curtains actually keep homes cool?<\/p>\n

Blocking direct sunlight into your home<\/a> can also help reduce cooling costs.<\/p>\n

Closing blinds, shades and curtains during the hottest part of the day can keep indoor temperatures lower and reduce the strain on your air conditioner, according to SMUD.<\/p>\n

\u201cSunlight passing through windows heats your home and makes your air conditioner work harder<\/a>,\u201d PG&E said.<\/p>\n

\"According According to PG&E, smart thermostats can save the average California customer between $50 and $78 per year. How can I keep my home cool while saving on costs?<\/p>\n

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, other energy-saving tips<\/a> include:<\/p>\n

Keeping air vents clear, so your system can work efficiently.Using fans to cool your home.Unplug devices when not in use.Cleaning HVAC filters every month during peak cooling or heating seasons.Sealing air leaks by replacing old caulking and adding weatherstripping around windows and doors.Checking insulation and replace any that\u2019s damaged to help keep cool air inside.Do energy-intensive chores, such as washing dishes and laundry, until off-peak hours.Inspecting your equipment often to make sure everything\u2019s working properly.Avoid these common electricity-wasting mistakes<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring hot weather, there are a few common energy myths that can increase energy use and costs,\u201d PG&E said.<\/p>\n

According to PG&E, these include:<\/p>\n

Lowering the thermostat to 60 degrees cools your home faster.Keeping fans running in empty rooms.Devices that are plugged in but turned off don\u2019t use energy.Saving energy requires expensive home upgrades. Have a question about life in California?<\/p>\n

How to California \u2014 a guide to help you live, work and enjoy life in the Golden State, is here to help.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll answer your questions \u2014 big and small \u2014 about state laws, history, culture, recreation and travel.<\/p>\n

Ask your questions in the form below (can\u2019t see it? Click here<\/a>) or email howtocalifornia@mcclatchy.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Angela Rodriguez<\/a><\/p>\n

The Modesto Bee<\/p>\n

Angela Rodriguez is a service journalism reporter for The Bee. She is a graduate of Sacramento State with a bachelor\u2019s degree in journalism. During her time there, she worked on the State Hornet covering arts and entertainment.\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As parts of California prepare to swelter under a triple-digit heat wave, statewide forecasts predict a hotter-than-usual summer…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":357786,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[121,123,122],"class_list":["post-357785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sacramento","tag-sacramento","tag-sacramento-headlines","tag-sacramento-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=357785"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357785\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/357786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=357785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=357785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=357785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}