As temperatures climb in Athens, here are some tips on how to beat the heat and save money

Vanessa Countryman, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
FILE - A little girl cools off at the Virginia Callaway-Cofer Walker Park Splash Pad on a hot summer day on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Most of Georgia is under a heat advisory and it's only supposed to get hotter with temperatures predicted to be in the 90s.
FILE - A little girl cools off at the Virginia Callaway-Cofer Walker Park Splash Pad on a hot summer day on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Most of Georgia is under a heat advisory and it's only supposed to get hotter with temperatures predicted to be in the 90s.

Residents of Athens hoping for a break from the intense heat will have to wait a bit longer, as relief is not likely anytime soon.

“Unfortunately, we're not really looking at any relief probably for the next two weeks,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist Carmen Hernandez. “We're looking at above 90 degrees probably for the next two weeks. We're going to be reaching temperatures close to between 95 and 98 for much of the area on Wednesday and Friday, especially for the Athens area.”

How to keep power bills lower during this heat

Air conditioner uses about 50% or more of a home's energy in the summer. According to Matthew Kent, Georgia Power spokesperson, one tip is to keep the air conditioning at 78 degrees and use fans to offset that temperature. Personal fans can reduce the perceived temperature about 5 degrees.

Using the AC a little less and avoiding heat-producing appliances, like the oven, during the hottest parts of the day can also help.

"Some of the easiest things are just turning your lights off, keeping the curtains and blinds closed on your windows during peak hours a day to keep the sun out and keep the heat out, and then unplugging anything that you are not using, because some of those can be a bit of a power drain," said Kent. "All those things together can help really impact and lower your ... utility bills."

More: Much of the U.S. is experiencing historic heat. What are the hottest days on record in Athens?

How to stay cool

  • Drink water

  • Find air conditioning

  • Insulate your house

  • Wear sunscreen

  • Never leave pets or people in a closed car

  • Avoid strenuous activities

Source: U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security

Symptoms of heat-related illnesses

  • High body temperature

  • Hot, red, dry, or damp skin

  • Fast, strong pulse

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Confusion

  • Heavy sweating

  • Cold, pale, and clammy skin

  • Fast, weak pulse

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Muscle cramps

  • Tiredness or weakness

  • Fainting (passing out)

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For more information, visit weather.gov.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Extended Heatwave Forecast for Athens shows temperatures in the 90s

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