Phoenix, Arizona is experiencing a significant spike in heat-related illnesses as dangerous temperatures continue to plague the city. Throughout the entire month of July, temperatures have consistently reached or exceeded 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius). The reliance on air conditioning, which has made modern life in Phoenix possible, has become a lifeline for residents.
Jonathan Bean, co-director of the Institute for Energy Solutions at the University of Arizona, explains that when the sky is cloudless and outdoor temperatures surpass 100 degrees F, houses in Phoenix essentially turn into “air fryers” or “broilers.” The intense heat is absorbed by the roof and radiated downward, making it unbearable for those without air conditioning. Evan Mallen, a senior analyst for Georgia Institute of Technology’s Urban Climate Lab, warns that the current level of heat in Phoenix is extremely dangerous, especially for those who cannot afford to operate their air conditioners.
Despite the risks, some residents are cutting back on air conditioning usage due to fears of high electricity bills. Camille Rabany, a 29-year-old resident, has developed her own system to keep herself and her 10-month-old Saint Bernard, Rigley, cool during the heatwave. By tracking the on-peak and off-peak schedule of her utility, Arizona Public Service, with the help of her NEST smart thermostat, Rabany keeps her home at 83 degrees Fahrenheit from 4 to 7 p.m., the most expensive hours. She uses fans and a cooling bed for her dog to cope until the utility’s peak hours pass. Rabany’s strategy has helped her keep her utility bill around $150 last month.
Emily Schmidt, another resident in Tempe, Arizona, also prioritizes her dog’s comfort when it comes to cooling her home. She acknowledges the constant struggle of balancing saving money and ensuring her pets are not subjected to extreme heat. The unrelenting heatwave has made it difficult for residents like Schmidt to budget with rent and other utilities, as they fear the impending high electric bills.
The heatwave is particularly concerning for vulnerable populations, such as seniors on limited incomes. Katie Martin, administrator of home improvements and community services at the Foundation for Senior Living, notes that many seniors are keeping their thermostats at 80 degrees F to save money. Additionally, they often lack a support network to rely on in case of air conditioner breakdowns. Breakdowns can be dangerous, as poorly-insulated homes can become even hotter indoors than outdoors. The Salvation Army has set up 11 cooling stations across the Phoenix area to provide relief for those who cannot afford electricity bills or lack adequate air conditioning.
Lt. Colonel Ivan Wild, commander of the Salvation Army’s southwest division, shares the story of an elderly lady who visits the cooling station because running her air conditioner is too expensive. The Salvation Army estimates that since May 1, they have provided heat relief to nearly 24,000 people and distributed nearly 150,000 water bottles in Arizona and Southern Nevada.
Marilyn Brown, regents professor of sustainable systems at Georgia Tech, emphasizes that high air conditioning bills force people to make sacrifices in other areas of their lives. This can lead to a cycle of poverty, as individuals may have to give up essential items like medicine or transportation costs to afford cooling their homes.
The alarming spike in heat-related illnesses and the financial burden of cooling homes in Phoenix highlights the urgent need for support and resources for vulnerable populations. As the heatwave continues, organizations like the Salvation Army play a crucial role in providing relief and assistance to those in need.Phoenix, Arizona is experiencing a significant spike in heat-related illnesses as dangerous temperatures continue to plague the city. Throughout the entire month of July, temperatures have consistently peaked at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius). The reliance on air conditioning, which has made modern Phoenix possible, has become a lifeline for residents.
Jonathan Bean, co-director of the Institute for Energy Solutions at the University of Arizona, explains that when a cloudless sky combines with outdoor temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, houses in Phoenix essentially turn into “air fryers” or “broilers.” The intense heat is absorbed by the roof and radiated downward, creating unbearable conditions. Bean, who experienced this firsthand when his own air conditioner broke, emphasizes the danger of the current heatwave, particularly for those who do not have access to air conditioning or cannot afford to operate it.
Despite the risks, some residents are cutting back on air conditioning usage due to fears of high electricity bills. Camille Rabany, a 29-year-old resident, has developed her own system to keep herself and her 10-month-old Saint Bernard Rigley cool during the heatwave. By tracking the on-peak and off-peak schedule of her utility, Arizona Public Service, with the help of her NEST smart thermostat, Rabany keeps her home at a temperature of 83 degrees Fahrenheit from 4 to 7 p.m., the most expensive hours. She utilizes fans and a cooling bed for her dog, enduring the heat until the utility’s official peak hours pass. Rabany’s strategy has helped her keep her utility bill around $150 last month.
Emily Schmidt, another resident in Tempe, Arizona, also prioritizes her dog’s comfort when it comes to cooling her home. She and her partner constantly discuss the balance between saving money and ensuring their pets are not subjected to extreme heat. Schmidt expresses concerns about the upcoming electric bill, which makes budgeting difficult alongside rent and other utilities.
The heatwave is particularly challenging for vulnerable populations, such as seniors on limited incomes. Katie Martin, administrator of home improvements and community services at the Foundation for Senior Living, notes that many seniors are keeping their thermostats at 80 degrees Fahrenheit to save money. Additionally, breakdowns of air conditioning units can be dangerous, as poorly-insulated homes can become even hotter indoors than outdoors. The Salvation Army has set up 11 cooling stations across the Phoenix area to provide relief for those who cannot afford their electricity bills or lack adequate air conditioning.
Lt. Colonel Ivan Wild, commander of the Salvation Army’s southwest division, shares the story of an elderly lady who visits the cooling station because running her air conditioning is too expensive. The Salvation Army estimates that since May 1, they have provided heat relief to nearly 24,000 people and distributed nearly 150,000 water bottles in Arizona and Southern Nevada.
Marilyn Brown, regents professor of sustainable systems at Georgia Tech, highlights the financial burden of high air conditioning bills. Many individuals are forced to cut spending in other areas, such as medication or transportation costs, in order to afford running their air conditioners. This cycle of poverty becomes difficult to escape, especially when energy burdens become overwhelming.
The current heatwave in Phoenix serves as a reminder of the importance of access to air conditioning and the challenges faced by those who cannot afford it. The city’s residents, particularly vulnerable populations, are urged to take precautions and seek relief at cooling centers provided by organizations like the Salvation Army.
How does the financial burden of high electric bills during the unrelenting heatwave impact vulnerable populations, particularly seniors on limited incomes?
S the difficulty of budgeting with rent and other utilities during the unrelenting heatwave, as high electric bills become a major concern.
The heatwave is particularly concerning for vulnerable populations, such as seniors on limited incomes. Many seniors are forced to keep their thermostats at 80 degrees Fahrenheit to save money, which can lead to dangerous conditions. Poorly-insulated homes can become hotter indoors than outdoors, especially if air conditioners break down. To provide relief for those who cannot afford electricity bills or lack adequate air conditioning, the Salvation Army has set up 11 cooling stations across the Phoenix area.
Lt. Colonel Ivan Wild, commander of the Salvation Army’s southwest division, shares the story of an elderly lady who visits the cooling station because running her air conditioner is too expensive. Since May 1, the Salvation Army has provided heat relief to nearly 24,000 people and distributed close to 150,000 water bottles in Arizona and Southern Nevada.
The financial burden of cooling homes in Phoenix can have long-term consequences, such as individuals having to give up essential items like medicine or transportation costs to afford air conditioning. Marilyn Brown, a regents professor of sustainable systems at Georgia Tech, highlights that high air conditioning bills can lead to a cycle of poverty for many individuals.
The alarming spike in heat-related illnesses and the financial burden of cooling homes underscore the urgent need for support and resources for vulnerable populations. Organizations like the Salvation Army play a crucial role in providing relief and assistance to those in need as the heatwave continues to impact Phoenix.
Living in Phoenix, one learns the hard way that beating the heat without air conditioning is no easy feat. The scorching temperatures can make even the simplest tasks unbearable. While cutting back on air conditioning seems like a noble effort to save energy, it becomes a real struggle when faced with the oppressive heat. Kudos to all the Phoenix residents braving this challenge, but let’s hope a sustainable solution arises soon.