My worst climate week started with a broken AC unit in Phoenix

Last July my AC died during a 115 degree heatwave and I figured I'd just tough it out with fans. Day three I got heat exhaustion so bad I couldn't stand up straight. Turns out running the AC uses about 3 times the energy of a fridge but without it my apartment hit 98 degrees by noon. I ended up buying a portable unit for $400 and it saved me but my electric bill was still $200 more than normal. Has anyone here tried those window reflective films to keep heat out without cranking the AC?

3 comments

3 Comments

simon_coleman21d ago

Hold up - your apartment hit 98 degrees INSIDE? I thought my place was bad at 92 during a heatwave last summer but that's next level. You were basically living in an oven with that kind of heat, no wonder you got heat exhaustion. I've honestly never messed with the window films myself but I've heard from buddies in Tucson that the ceramic ones make a real difference. Might be worth the $30-40 just to see if it takes the edge off before next summer rolls around.

veram9921d ago

Wait, @simon_coleman, 98 degrees inside sounds like literal hell on earth lol.

the_andrew21d ago

Did your landlord do anything about it or did they just tell you to open a window or some BS? Because 98 inside isnt just uncomfortable thats a legit health hazard. Ive had places hit the mid 80s and it felt like I was gonna pass out just sitting there. Did they have any response when you told them about it?