Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Marc Giauque reportingIt's been 100 degrees or hotter along the Wasatch Front before -- and it will be again. But the cost of cooling off may be growing. From energy to air conditioning, keeping cool isn't always cheap.
Ah, the sound of relief: an air conditioner in a car, or a home, a swamp cooler, even a fan at least moves the air around on a blistering day. But paying for that comfort comes at a price. Take an air conditioner for example.
Bill Thompson: "This year there's been a new federal law that went into effect, that required air conditioners to increase in efficiency by 30 percent."
But Bill Thompson of Thompson's Comfort Connection says that also increased the cost significantly - at least upfront. In time, of course, Thompson says you'll make up the difference in power bills. With higher energy costs, Thompson thinks higher efficiency is definitely the future.
Bill Thompson: "At some point, especially if people on who are on fixed incomes, it gets to a point where they may not be able to afford to use it if they don't have an efficient enough system."
If cost is an issue, most of the time, Thompson says Utah's climate is one of the best in the world, for a swamp cooler.
"You can cool your home with a swamp cooler for less than half of what refrigerated air Conditioning is going to cost"
If it isn't enough to cool inside your home, there's an option for say your patio. In some areas around the country, back-yard misting systems are becoming more popular.
A search of the internet reveals other gizmos, gel filled cooling vests, water filled tubes for around the neck, all items Travis Hildebrant of the Salt Lake Running Company sees little value in.
Travis Hildebrant: "For a casual thing, at a football game in the sun or a baseball game, or something like that, when it's hot they probably work great. But when you're active and having all the jarring effects of running, sometimes they just get in the way."
Hildebrant's advice, stay hydrated to keep the body's own cooling system working, or you might try some high tech clothing, that aids in evaporation of sweat.
If all else fails, take a break run through the sprinklers.
