Staying Cool In Extreme Heat

JE Shekell Comfort Specialists are working around the clock to keep homes and businesses cool and safe during this extreme heat wave. As temperatures increase, air conditioning units may struggle to keep up. Most air conditioning units are created to maintain a 20-degree difference between indoors and out. People begin to believe that an air conditioning unit is broken when in reality, it isn’t designed for this type of drastic heat.

Kevin Shekell, President of JE Shekell, Inc. said, “The designed air conditioner (limit) in Evansville is usually 95 degrees,” he said. “When it rises above the 95-degree temperature point, if your air conditioner isn’t checked for maintenance, it sometimes can’t maintain temperature.”

It is important to know if your air conditioning unit is fitted with Vectren’s Summer Cycler device, as it could occasionally shut the air conditioner off to conserve energy on days of extreme heat. If your unit is equipped with the Summer Cycler device, be patient and make sure that your unit does not resume cooling after a short period of time (usually 20 or 30 minutes).

While preventative maintence from our Comfort Specialists is the best way to make sure your air conditioner is running at an optimum level, it is always a good idea to make sure that your unit has new, clean filters.

Don’t hesitate to call JE Shekell, Inc. We offer 24-hour emergency service, 365 days a year. Here are some tips for preventing heat-related illness from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

-Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

-Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar; these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.

-Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.

-Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.

-Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

-NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

-Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
Infants and young children
People aged 65 or older
People who have a mental illness
Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

If you must be out in the heat:

-Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

-Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage. Remember the warning in the first “tip” (above), too.

-Try to rest often in shady areas.

-Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

This information provided by NCEH’s Health Studies Branch.