Rabany has found a compromise at 83 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that she and her Saint Bernard, Rigley, can bear. She strategically cools her home by monitoring the on-peak and off-peak schedule of her utility company, Arizona Public Service, using her NEST smart thermostat. During the most expensive hours, 4 to 7 p.m., she keeps her home at its warmest, relying on fans and a cooling bed for Rigley.
Balancing Comfort, Cost, and Pets Amid Phoenix Heat
For Emily Schmidt from Tempe, Arizona, the challenge of balancing comfort, cost, and the wellbeing of her pet is a common conversation topic. With the relentless heat, she fears the financial implications of her next electricity bill.
Katie Martin from the Foundation for Senior Living points out the dangerous trade-offs seniors on limited incomes often have to make, especially those with pets that prevent them from visiting cooling centers.
Coping With Breakdowns and Providing Assistance
In the event of an air conditioning breakdown, many Phoenix residents lack a support network, a potentially hazardous situation, particularly for those in poorly-insulated homes. Georgia Tech’s models indicate that indoor temperatures can exceed outdoor temperatures, rising by over 40 degrees within hours in a single-story home without air conditioning.
