Phoenix just set a record for 19 days in a row over 110 degrees. Temperatures in Death Valley approached 130 degrees. And the record for the hottest day in the history of the planet has been broken and rebroken again and again this summer.
It’s hot. And getting hotter.
How is your cooling system keeping up with this intense heat? Of course, now more than ever, you’ll want to keep up with HVAC maintenance – easy things, like making sure filters are changed regularly – and also keep an eye on thermostat setpoints.
Experts recommend a few other tips to ensure occupants can stay cool and productive during these blisteringly hot days.
One tip is to use a high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fan to help distribute cool air throughout the space. Additionally, as air is moving more, occupants will “feel” cooler, like experiencing a cool summer breeze on a pleasant evening.
Another: If you haven’t already eliminated incandescent or other inefficient and heat-producing lighting in your space, now is the time to do so. Lighting that produces excess heat makes it that much more difficult for the HVAC system to keep up with intense heat. Keep a careful eye on appliances occupants may be using during the day, and try to eliminate any heat-generating equipment.
Look to your roof, as well. You don’t need to totally reroof, but applying a reflective white coating can pay huge dividends in how hard your HVAC has to work during hot summer months. If your windows have shades, make sure they're lowered to minimize solar heat gain. Depending on your space’s décor, curtains or blinds may be good options as well.
Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine.
