Heat waves, like that of the recent July 2018 heat bubble hovering over Los Angeles and the rest of southern California, can be scary and uncomfortable affairs. There is usually a bit of notice when one is on the way. Here are a few things you can do to prep before the triple digit temps hit.
Maintain your air conditioning or HVAC system
If AC repair hasn’t been on the top of your to-do list the last couple of years, there is no better time to prioritize HVAC service or air conditioning repair than before a heat wave. Be quick about it, since HVAC contractors and other heating and air conditioning repairers will definitely book up quickly when there’s extreme weather on the way.
Prep some heatless meals
If you know a heat wave is heading for you, plan some meals for the estimated duration of it where you don’t need to use the oven, stove, microwave, or grill, since more heat and more energy usage are both ill-advised. Stick to salads, sandwiches, cereal, or other heatless meals.
Get laundry done ahead of time and hand-wash dishes
If everyone used their appliances as usual during a heat wave, which already causes a local energy strain due to heightened air conditioner usage, then dangerous outages could occur for whole neighborhoods. Get your essential laundry done beforehand and hand-wash your dishes during a heat wave.
Keep your air conditioner at tolerable temps during the day and make it colder at night if necessary
Peak energy usage time for CA in the summer is when the day is hottest and people are home from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., and a heat wave intensifies this. Energy conservation is crucial for avoiding power outages, so try to keep AC at the warmest bearable setting during the day to stave off discomfort, and then you can turn up the cold air a bit more at night to sleep comfortably and sweat less.
The usual cautions apply too, of course: stay hydrated. Be especially cautious of the elderly, children, and pets. Even if heating and air conditioning systems aren’t an option for your living space or income, make note of nearby businesses and community hubs that welcome those affected into their AC, and put a plan in place to save up for an air conditioning installation for next summer. Stay cool, all heat waves end!
