When a heat wave hits San Diego, most people blame the weather—but your home may actually be trapping more heat than you realize.
From everyday appliances to overlooked household habits, there are several hidden sources of heat that can make your home feel warmer, increase your electric bill, and force your air conditioner to work overtime.
Here are 10 surprising things that could be making your home much hotter than it needs to be.
1. Charging Your Electronics All Day
Did you know your phone charger, laptop, tablet, and gaming console all produce heat—even when they’re simply charging?
If you have multiple devices plugged in throughout the day, the heat can slowly build up, especially in smaller rooms or home offices.
Try this: Charge devices overnight or unplug chargers when they’re not being used.
2. Your Wi-Fi Router
Most people never think about it, but your Wi-Fi router runs 24 hours a day and constantly generates heat.
By itself it isn’t much, but when it’s sitting next to your modem, gaming system, streaming device, and TV, those electronics can create a surprisingly warm corner of your home.
3. Candles
Love a cozy candle?
Even one small flame adds heat to a room. During triple-digit temperatures, skip the scented candles and use reed diffusers or essential oil diffusers instead.
Your room will smell just as nice without the extra warmth.
4. Houseplants…If They’re Dry
Healthy plants naturally cool the air through transpiration, but dry, thirsty plants lose that ability.
During heat waves, watering your indoor plants not only keeps them alive but also helps them release moisture into the air.
5. Your Dishwasher
Many people think the dishwasher only uses hot water.
What they don’t realize is that the drying cycle releases a surprising amount of heat and humidity into your kitchen.
Money-saving tip: Turn off the heated dry cycle and let dishes air dry instead.
6. Dark Furniture Near Windows
A black leather couch or dark-colored chair sitting in direct sunlight acts almost like a parked car in the sun.
Dark materials absorb more solar heat and continue releasing that warmth into the room long after the sun moves away.
Closing curtains can make a noticeable difference.
7. Leaving Closet Doors Open
Closets often trap warm, stagnant air.
Keeping closet doors closed prevents that warm air from circulating into the rest of your home, especially in upstairs bedrooms.
8. Your Laundry Basket
Freshly dried clothes may feel comfortable, but they continue releasing heat after coming out of the dryer.
Instead of folding laundry immediately in your bedroom, let clothes cool in the laundry area first.
9. Ceiling Fans Spinning the Wrong Direction
Many homeowners never change the direction of their ceiling fans.
During summer, fan blades should rotate counterclockwise to push cool air downward.
Running them clockwise during a heat wave can make rooms feel warmer instead of cooler.
10. Closing Every Interior Door
Many people close bedroom doors to “keep the cool air in.”
However, if your home’s HVAC system is designed for open airflow, closed doors can reduce circulation and create hot spots throughout the house.
Check your home’s airflow and keep interior doors open when appropriate unless instructed otherwise by your property manager or HVAC professional.
Bonus: Five Heat-Wave Hacks Most People Don’t Know
✔ Put your pillowcase in the freezer for 15 minutes before bedtime.
✔ Freeze a damp washcloth for a quick way to cool your neck.
✔ Place a bowl of ice in front of a fan for a temporary cooling breeze.
✔ Keep bathroom exhaust fans running after hot showers to remove heat and humidity.
✔ Replace heavy comforters with lightweight cotton sheets during the summer.
For Renters: A Few Things to Remember
If you’re renting your home or apartment:
- Don’t block your air return vent with furniture.
- Replace HVAC filters if your lease requires it or notify your property manager if maintenance is needed.
- Report air conditioning issues before they become emergencies.
- Close blinds before leaving for work to prevent afternoon heat buildup.
- Avoid using multiple heat-producing appliances at the same time.
Stay Safe This Summer
San Diego heat waves can be more dangerous than they appear, especially because many homes were built without central air conditioning. Stay hydrated, check on elderly neighbors and family members, keep pets indoors during peak afternoon temperatures, and know the signs of heat exhaustion.
Small changes around your home can make a surprisingly big difference—not only in keeping you comfortable, but also in lowering your energy bill and reducing wear on your cooling system.
Stay cool, stay safe, and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Works Cited
American Red Cross. Extreme Heat Safety Tips. American Red Cross, https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/extreme-heat.html. Accessed 28 July 2026.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heat and Your Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health. Accessed 28 July 2026.
National Weather Service. Heat Safety Tips and Resources. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat. Accessed 28 July 2026.
U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Saver: Cooling Your Home Efficiently. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver. Accessed 28 July 2026.
