Boston’s Getting Hotter
Boston in the summer can be lovely, with hot afternoons and cooler nights. Sure we sometimes get heat waves, but fortunately the City throws open the doors to all the community center pools and other cooling centers during heat emergencies. Finding ways to protect yourself from heat stroke is especially important for elders, young babies, and people with compromised health.
Unfortunately, we are experiencing a growing number of these too-hot-for-comfort days. A new study by Climate Ready Boston recently found that “From 1971-2000, there were 11 days per year over 90 degrees. By 2030, there may be as many as 40. By 2070, there may be as many as 90 - essentially the entire summer.” You may not be moving to South Carolina, but it might feel like you did.
In response to these rising summer temperatures, more and more Boston homes are installing air conditioning. This helps you beat the heat, but it can also mean a big jump in your electric bill. You can help offset that extra cost by checking MassSave.com for rebates on Energy Star air conditioners. To protect your wallet while protecting your family from heat waves, be sure to plan ahead for the most energy efficient placement of a window a/c unit. A north-facing window or east-facing window is preferable to a south- or west-facing window. Choosing the correct size to efficiently cool and dehumidify the room is also very important. Choosing an Energy Star air conditioning unit will always save you money on its operating costs. For more tips for buying a great air conditioner, take a minute to watch this video.
Your refrigerator also works extra hard in the summer. If your older fridge or freezer sounds like it’s always turning on and off, or is making more noise than in the past, you might just need to defrost it. If that doesn’t do the trick, it might be cost-effective to replace it with a new Energy Star model. Mass Save will pay you $50 when you recycle a fridge or freezer. Mass Save also offers a $75 discount on some purchases of new fridges.
The options for saving energy, and saving money, around the house are endless. To learn more about what else can be done, feel free to email us at [email protected]. Or, bring your questions to us in person at our upcoming heating and cooling workshops in Dorchester and Roxbury. Both July workshops include an English presentation followed by a Spanish one.
Thursday, July 21
at 6:00pm
Grove Hall Library
41 Geneva Avenue, Dorchester, 02121
Saturday, July 23
at 10:00am
Dudley Square Library
65 Warren Street, Roxbury, 02119
To reserve your place, call Lourdes Lopez: 617-635-4189.