Coastal vs. Inland: How Location Affects Your HVAC

In the Bay Area, moving a few miles can dramatically change your climate—and your HVAC needs. Here's how.

Temperature Differences

Summer Highs - **Coastal (SF, Pacifica):** Rarely above 75°F - **Inland (Livermore, Concord):** Regularly 95-105°F

Winter Lows - **Coastal:** Rarely below 45°F - **Inland:** Frost common, occasionally below 30°F

Temperature Swing - **Coastal:** 15-20°F daily range - **Inland:** 30-40°F daily range possible

Humidity Patterns

Coastal Humidity - Higher average humidity - Fog brings moisture - Summer humidity can be surprisingly high - Less need for humidification in winter

Inland Humidity - Lower humidity overall - Summer can be very dry - Winter heating dries air further - May need humidification

Equipment Implications

Cooling Needs

**Coastal:** - Many homes fine without AC - Small capacity sufficient when needed - Ceiling fans often adequate - Mini-split for occasional cooling

**Inland:** - AC essential for comfort - Adequate capacity critical - High-efficiency systems pay off - Consider variable speed for peak days

Heating Needs

**Coastal:** - Moderate heating demand - System doesn't work as hard - Heat pumps very effective - Efficiency still matters

**Inland:** - Higher heating demand - Cold nights stress systems - Heat pump efficiency drops in cold - May need backup heat

Equipment Longevity

Coastal Concerns - Salt air can corrode outdoor units - Humidity-related issues - Less cycling stress (moderate demand)

Inland Concerns - More hours of operation - Higher stress during extremes - More cycling in shoulder seasons

Cost Differences

Operating Costs

**Coastal:** - Lower overall energy use - Heating dominates costs - Cooling costs minimal

**Inland:** - Higher summer cooling costs - Significant heating costs too - Higher total energy use

Equipment Costs

**Coastal:** - Can often use smaller systems - May not need AC at all - Heat pump well-suited

**Inland:** - Need adequate AC capacity - Proper sizing crucial - Higher capacity = higher cost

Recommendations by Location

Coastal - Heat pump is often ideal - Don't over-buy cooling capacity - Address humidity if problematic - Protect outdoor unit from salt

Inland - Prioritize cooling efficiency - Don't undersize AC - Consider variable speed - Plan for both extremes