In the face of soaring temperatures, Phoenix residents are becoming increasingly resourceful in managing their air conditioning usage, anxious about the impending rise in electricity bills due to the city’s record-breaking heat wave.
The Toll of Unrelenting Heat in Phoenix
Throughout July, the mercury in Phoenix has consistently hit or surpassed 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius). For the city, air conditioning is more than a comfort – it’s a necessity for survival.
Phoenix homes have become akin to “air fryers” under the scorching sun, absorbing intense heat and radiating it downwards, turning into sweltering heat-traps, explains Jonathan Bean, co-director of the University of Arizona’s Institute for Energy Solutions. This uncomfortable reality, he adds, is one he’s experienced firsthand after a recent air conditioner malfunction.
Senior analyst for Georgia Institute of Technology’s Urban Climate Lab, Evan Mallen, warns of the grave risks posed by such extreme heat, particularly for those without air conditioning or those unable to afford its operation.
Phoenix Residents Adopt Strategic Cooling Methods
Phoenix air conditioning is now being used more strategically. Concerned about steep utility bills, some residents, like 29-year-old Camille Rabany, are developing innovative methods to endure the heat while limiting energy use.
