It’s peak AC season in HB, and coastal smoke/haze can pop in when winds shift. Your system’s doing double duty—keeping you cool and helping protect indoor air. Here’s what to do this month.
1) For heat + smoke days
Use “circulate.” Cool the air you already have indoors instead of pulling outdoor air in.
Upgrade your filter. Go MERV-13 if your system supports it (or the highest it allows).
Run the fan longer. Continuous/extended fan cycles help your filter do more work.
Add a whole house air purifier.
Make sure your chimney damper is closed during smoke events.
Beachside tip: Salt air + sand can clog and corrode outdoor units faster. Lightly rinse your condenser fins (power off first) and keep 2–3 feet clear around the unit.
2) Flex Alerts? Pre-cool like a pro
On very hot afternoons/evenings, CA’s grid may ask for conservation. Pre-cool in the late morning/early afternoon by setting your thermostat a few degrees lower, then set it to ~78–80°F from late afternoon into the evening. Close blinds, run ceiling fans, and delay big appliances.
3) Late-summer AC tune-up checklist
Swap in a fresh airfilter (check monthly during smoky weeks).
Gently rinse debris from the outdoor coil; keep shrubs 2–3 ft away.
Confirm thermostat schedules so you’re not over-cooling an empty house.
Make sure supply/return vents are open and unblocked.
Call us if you notice short-cycling, weak airflow, hot/cold spots, or icing on lines.
4) Money-savers worth checking now
Federal tax credits (through 2025): Qualifying high-efficiency central ACs/heat pumps may be eligible—save your invoices for tax time.
Local rebates: Many SoCal utilities/programs offer rebates—often stackable with federal credits. We’ll check what’s active for your address before you buy.
5) 2025 refrigerant changes (quick homeowner version)
New systems are moving from R-410A to lower-GWP A2L refrigerants (like R-454B/R-32). Translation: newer equipment, updated safety/code requirements, and trained techs. Your existing R-410A system can still be serviced normally; but if you’re replacing in 2025, you’ll likely be quoted an A2L-based unit.
6) Quick August to-dos
Install a fresh air filter and set a monthly reminder.
Pre-cool on Flex Alert days; aim for 78–80°F late day.
Book a tune-up if it’s been a year—or sooner if performance is slipping.
Serving Huntington Beach and surrounding areas
We proudly serve Huntington Beach and surrounding communities—Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Irvine, Tustin, Anaheim, Long Beach, Lakewood, Buena Park, Cypress, Los Alamitos, and more (within ~30 miles).
Ready for help? Call Trifecta Heating & Air Conditioning today at (714) 465-5525 or contact us online and let one of our Huntington Beach air conditioning experts evaluate your system, recommend the right filter, set up smoke-safe settings, and price out 2025-ready equipment with any rebates/credits you qualify for.