Why San Diego Residents Are Signing Up for Air Conditioning

They say it never rains in Southern California — and it never gets as hot as Phoenix or Las Vegas, right? Well, times are changing.

As temps in San Diego increase, residents are feeling an increased need for air conditioning. Beach communities that once relied on sea breezes and nightly cool-downs to keep their homes comfortable are realizing that doesn’t quite cut it anymore.

So, why exactly are more local residents signing up for air conditioning — and do you need it? Let’s talk about how AC needs are shifting and what you can do about it.

Why is AC Getting More Popular in SoCal?

Back in 1996, only 51% of adults nationally surveyed by Pew said that home air conditioning was a necessity. As of 2006 (the most recent year of the “Luxury or Necessity” survey), that overall percentage had jumped up to 70%. In cities along the Sunbelt region, including those in Southern California, more than 80% of people said they needed AC in 2006.

Why the increase in demand or perceived need?

For one thing, temperatures are getting hotter year after year. In the summer of 2014, San Diego had 90 days with a temperature that rated hotter than average. The same year, 13 days registered as hotter than 90 degrees Fahrenheit by mid-October. That might not sound like an incredibly high figure, but historically the city only sees an average of 1.3 days over 90 degrees per year.

However, increased temperatures aren’t the only reason someone might invest in home air conditioning. Installing a system may also be appealing if:

• New construction near your home has limited your access to the natural breezes that once easily flowed through your windows. A new high-rise a few doors down can block more than just the sun.
• You’re getting older. Heat waves can cause punishing health issues at a disproportionately higher rate for people over the age of 65. Mortality rates are also higher for older people when it’s hot outside.
• A home sale is in your future. Adding air conditioning to a property can add up to 10% to the property’s value. If you want to maximize the return on your home improvements, installing an AC system is not a bad way to go.

How to Know It’s Time to Invest in AC

There is one clear and simple reason to get air conditioning: you’re physically uncomfortable. But you also might realize you can mitigate some of the challenges of a hot house with strategically placed fans and a few ice packs, which begs the question: How do you know you really need AC.

Here are a few indicators that you’re ready to invest in air conditioning:

• You suffer from a dust mite allergy. Dust mites thrive in humidity above 70%. If you don’t have AC, you could be encouraging a massive community of mites to move in, even if you vacuum regularly. Living without air conditioning often means leaving the windows open, too. On high pollen days, that can bring about tons of sneezing and wheezing. Keeping your HVAC filters clean helps catch allergens and toxins, which can help.
• Your home has custom cabinetry. High humidity can also wreak havoc on cabinets and other wood furniture not meant to withstand a lot of moisture. If you’re going to invest in custom shelving or other expensive upgrades, you may also want to consider temperature control.
• You are getting older. As we mentioned earlier, aging is a good reason to get AC installed. You are more likely to suffer from heat stroke as you age, particularly if you have ongoing medical issues.
• You worry about mold. Like dust mites, mold also lives its best life when the humidity is high. Not running AC can create an ideal environment for mold growth, especially if you go away and leave the house locked up for an extended period of time.

Alternative Ways to Beat the Heat

If you’re in San Diego but not in a position to install AC right now, you’re not totally out of luck. As we’ve said, there are ways to beat the heat while you consider whether adding or changing an HVAC system is in your future.

These tips for avoiding heat stroke and dehydration are good for living in a home without AC, but you can also apply them to time spent outdoors:

• Drink water regularly. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water; you should be hydrating throughout the day. Consider cutting out caffeine and adding an electrolyte replacement (like a sports drink) into your daily routine during a heat wave.
• Recognize the signs of dehydration. Even if you’re drinking water, you may not be drinking enough. If you start to feel dizzy, faint, disoriented, or clammy, sit down and drink a glass of cool water.
• Utilize cooling packs. Keep some cooling packs or frozen washcloths in the freezer at all times. When you come in from a walk or other outdoor activity, sitting with a cold pack on the back of your neck can do wonders for your body temperature.
• Consider a window unit. Just because you don’t have central AC doesn’t mean you can’t cool down the rooms you use most. Install a window or mobile AC unit in the living spaces where you spend the most time during peak heat hours.
• Reach out to a cooling center. Many Southern California communities have designated cooling centers. These are places with AC where residents are encouraged to show up and cool down when the temperatures get dangerous; San Diego County provides a list of their “Cool Zones” online.

San Diego isn’t immune to the heating patterns of the world. While we tend to enjoy a temperate climate and feel fortunate most of the year, summer heat can still be a problem. Adding AC to your home can improve your quality of life and even keep you safe. Whether it’s a window unit or central air, keeping cool means you’re able to sleep, think, and hydrate better.