Thursday’s forecast called for 114, but it’s even hotter if you’re an Air Conditioning Tech working in an attic or touching hot metal of outdoor AC units.  

With the use of a heat gun, Forrest Anderson Plumbing and Air Conditioning (Forrest Anderson), can see that the metal of an outdoor AC unit not in the shade was more than 150 degrees before 2 p.m., while an attic was more than 140 degrees and rising.  

With some projects taking several hours to complete, Forrest Anderson emphasizes to its employees to drink lots of water, wear gloves and protective head covering, take as many “cool” breaks as needed, and do whatever tasks in the shade that they can. Their personal safety always comes first.   

Forrest Anderson also encourages the public to offer these techs water, a place to cool down if available, and their patience.  The company knows it’s frustrating to home owners that need work done, but rushing employees working under extreme is never a good idea. 

Forrest Anderson also offered some tips to help people keep their electricity bills down and their cool air flowing.   

Those tips are: 

1. Replaceyour filters

Replace your air filters regularly. Most filters should be changed once a month, especially in the summer when dust and allergens are in the air. Clogged filters make your AC system work harder to provide the same amount of cool air. Replacing filters is one of the easiest ways to save money on your electricity bill, while also keeping your AC system healthy long-term. 

2. Don’t heat the thermostat

The thermostat senses the temperature inside the home and instructs the AC system – so make sure the temperature it senses is accurate.  Don’t let the sun shine directly on the thermostat as it will cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.  Also avoid placing lamps, electronics or other heat producing appliances near the thermostat. 

3. Block the Sun

Close window shades to block sunlight from streaming through your windows as the sunlight raises the temperature of your home.  Planting trees and other landscaping near windows can also be a cost-effective way to reduce your electricity bill, while beautifying your home and views. 

4. Removedebris

To improve airflow to your AC unit, keep plants and other landscaping about 2-4 feet away from your outdoor AC unit. 

5. Use ceiling fans

To take some burden off your AC system, use ceiling fans to circulate cool air.