The do’s and don’ts of living through 110-plus degrees

Living in Southern Nevada, we know there comes a point each summer when opening the front door feels more like opening up the oven.

The thermometer reads 110-plus and suddenly your AC becomes disgruntled, decorative candles begin looking like Dali art and your hardiest desert plants start waving white flags of surrender.

To help handle the hot, hot, hot, I’ve put together a list of do’s and don’ts—some common sense and preventative measures that can help keep your home, family, pets and wallet more comfortable until cooler weather returns.

DO give your AC a fighting chance. Replace dirty filters and wipe dusty vents. Hose off the outdoor condenser coils and clear the unit of any debris. Be careful not to blast water or use a power washer and risk denting the fins. A clean system runs more efficiently and uses less electricity.

DON’T assume turning the thermostat way down cools your house faster. Your AC cools at the same rate regardless of the setting. Setting it to 68 degrees on a 112-degree afternoon only makes the unit run longer and wastes energy.

Note: If your thermostat is set to, say, 73 degrees, but your home is only lowering to only 75 degrees, the outdoor temperature may be overwhelming the system. If your AC catches up after the sun goes down, it may simply mean it’s reached its maximum cooling capacity. Have your system checked in the following scenarios:

■ temps start creeping up despite a cooler setting and the air doesn’t blow quite cold..

■ Ice forms on the refrigerant line.

■ Interior temp doesn’t catch up after sunset.

DON’T use fixtures and appliances that radiate heat during the warmest hours of the day. Try to use the oven, stovetop, dishwasher, dryer, blow dryer, etc. early morning or after dark. Replace incandescent and halogen bulbs (both heat producing) with LEDs that stay cool.

DO block the sun before it enters your home. Close blinds and curtains. Consider installing solar screens, shade cloth, or plant desert-friendly shade trees where appropriate. Stopping the sun outside is far more effective than trying to cool it once it’s inside.

DON’T forget about your ceiling fans. They cool people, not rooms. To save on electricity, turn them on when present, but off when leaving the space.

DO investigate air leakage. If you can feel hot air pouring in around doors or windows, so can your air conditioner. Weatherstripping and fresh caulking are inexpensive weekend projects that can pay for themselves through lower energy bills.

DON’T leave aerosol cans, propane tanks, batteries, or certain household chemicals in the garage where temps can exceed 120º. This extreme heat can shorten battery life, damage products, and in some cases, create a fire hazard. Likewise, paints, adhesives, candles, medications, sunscreen, etc. deteriorate or melt in excessive heat. Follow manufacturer’s recommended storage temperatures.

DO make more fresh water available for pets and wildlife. Refill water bowls often, especially outdoors, as they can quickly heat up and evaporate. Also, place them in the shade.

DO water plants and lawns early morning, deeply and less frequently rather than giving them a quick daily sprinkle. Deep watering encourages stronger roots that are better equipped to survive the summer. Adding mulch around trees and shrubs helps retain moisture and keeps soil temps lower. Remember to keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks to prevent rot.

DON’T pour concrete, stain/paint exterior surfaces, or use certain adhesives during the hottest hours unless the product specifically allows it. Many materials cure too quickly or fail altogether when temperatures exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations.

DO time outdoor activities to early in the day, especially dog walks. Paws can easily burn on pavement and asphalt. A good rule is the “five second hand test.” Place the back of your hand on the ground for 5 seconds. If it’s too hot to hold it there comfortably, it’s too hot for paws.

DO have your system checked in the following scenarios:

■ Temps start creeping up despite a cooler setting and the air doesn’t blow quite cold

■ It starts making a new noise

■ Ice forms on the refrigerant line

■ Interior temp doesn’t catch up after sunset