Extreme Heat Is Coming — Here’s How to Protect Your HVAC System (and Your Comfort)
A message to all tenants in Central Properties-managed homes ahead of the coming heat wave.
Good evening to all tenants in Central Properties-managed homes. We’re writing because of the excessive heat we’re about to experience, and the forecast for the next several days.
During heat like this, HVAC systems are stressed, and resources such as backup units and commercial repair services become stretched thin and far less available. It’s natural to keep running the system as usual and assume it will simply absorb the load — but especially in older homes, even a brand-new system has its limits. Pushing it past those limits doesn’t just risk a breakdown; it drastically increases power consumption and your utility bill in the process.
What’s the 20-Degree Rule?
One of the most useful guidelines comes from a national HVAC company, and it’s worth keeping in mind all week:
“The 20-degree rule of air conditioning states that you should always keep your AC unit at no more than 20 degrees lower than the outside temperature. It means that, if the outdoor conditions are at 95 degrees, you should set your thermostat at no lower than 75 degrees.”
— Excerpt from a national HVAC company’s guidance
The logic comes down to how the system actually works. As it cools your home, it also dehumidifies the air. But when it’s asked to drop the temperature by more than 20 degrees, its ability to do both diminishes — so it works harder, draws more energy, and wears out faster.
Think of it this way: beating on your system in a heat wave is a lot like taking the whip to a horse that has no more speed to give. Treat it with care, and it has a much better chance of carrying you through the extreme weather. Push it too hard, and you risk being left with a broken system for two weeks — and an interior temperature of 98 degrees or worse. It has happened.
Eight Things You Can Do Right Now
These simple steps can meaningfully reduce strain on your system and may help you avoid a breakdown altogether.
- Close blinds or shades during the heat of the day to block the sun’s heating effect.
- Keep exterior windows and doors shut tight — eliminate drafts wherever possible.
- Keep interior doors open so air can circulate freely. Closed-off rooms make it harder for the system to do its job.
- Check your filters. Dirty filters are the number-one cause of a suffocated AC system, leading to a warm home and a burned-out unit.
- Clear the exterior condenser unit of leaves or stored items so it can breathe.
- Raise your thermostat a few degrees during peak heat to avert a freeze-up. Lowering it further will only cause harm — follow the 20-degree rule, or even a 17–18 degree rule during the worst of it.
- Avoid the dryer or oven during peak strain hours, roughly 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Keep vents clear and clean for maximum airflow throughout the home.
A note on repair availability: We maintain good relationships with several large HVAC contractors throughout the region, and we’ll continue to lean on those relationships if you need us. But during heat events like this one, demand surges across every household at once — and service slots become very difficult to schedule, sometimes for days. Prevention is genuinely your best protection right now.
A Practical Recommendation: Plan Ahead, Just in Case
Given how stretched HVAC services are likely to be over the next several days, we’d encourage you to take some time in the next day or two to think through a backup plan — just in case your system does run into trouble.
- Identify a friend or family member nearby whose home you could stay with for a night or two if needed.
- Have a small bag of essentials ready to go, the way you might before a storm.
- Keep our contact information handy so you can reach us quickly if a problem arises.
This isn’t a prediction that anything will go wrong — it’s simply good sense during a stretch of weather where repair crews everywhere will be in high demand. A little preparation now can spare you a lot of discomfort later.
Thank you for your conscientious efforts as we all work through these extremes together. Should you have any problems, please contact us right away. Please remain safe and well.
Ben Sliwka
Broker/Owner, Central Properties Management
Need to reach us about an HVAC issue or anything else? Visit your tenant portal or contact our office directly through cp-mgt.com — we’re here to help.