AC quit in a Bakersfield heat wave

Behind, or broken?

In 2026 Meadows Field logged 15 days in a row at 100°F or more, ending August 12, 2026. The high for the year was 111°F on August 9, 2026. On days like that a healthy system can lose a few degrees by early evening.

• Probably behind: the air at the vents is cold, the outdoor fan runs, the house warms slowly in the afternoon and recovers after dark.
• Probably broken: the air at the vents is warm, the outdoor unit is silent or humming, there is ice on the lines, or the house never recovers overnight.

July nights at the airport now average about 73.7°F, up from 70.1°F over 1961-1990, so the recovery window is shorter than it used to be.

Nights per year when the low stayed at 75°F or above

Heat illness: the signs

The National Weather Service lists heat exhaustion signs as heavy sweating, cold, pale, clammy skin, a fast weak pulse, and nausea or cramps. Heat stroke is a 911 call: a body temperature of 103°F or more, hot red skin and a fast strong pulse. Confusion or fainting can follow.

Where to go

Kern County opens cooling centers in the San Joaquin Valley on days forecast at 105°F or higher. The CDC says fans alone won't prevent heat illness once the temperature is in the high 90s.

If the power goes out

Ready.gov advises keeping the fridge and freezer closed, unplugging electronics to protect them from a surge, and never running a generator indoors or in a garage. When power returns and the AC won't start, check its breakers before you call.

Getting it fixed

Tell us the house has no cooling and whether anyone at risk is home. Emergency AC repair.