weather

Image courtesy of the National Weather Service Las Vegas Facebook page.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning that is in effect for Southern Nevada today through Monday, with temperatures reaching above 110 degrees each day.

As their tenants, the Mesquite Local News received the following notice of helpful tips from Jensen Property Management and felt that we should share it with you, to help you cope with the heat.

HEAT ADVISORY

This week and weekend there is a heat advisory in Clark County. Here are a few things to get you and your A/C through the heat.

* Do not set the thermostat too low. Set your thermostat between 76-78 degrees this is much cooler than it is outside. Setting your A/C temperature too low causes the unit to freeze up. When the unit freezes, the air will blow, but it’s no longer cold. The system is actually overheating from working too hard. These units are not designed to run ‘full blast’ for extended periods of time. The unit must have time in between cycles to rest.

* Change the air filter. If you have not changed your air filter in the last 30 days, do it now. Even a slightly dirty air filter will cause the A/C unit to work harder. Again resulting in freezing up the unit.

* Do not turn your A/C unit off while you are at work or while you are out and about. This causes the unit to work harder trying to cool the house too fast.

Manufacturers and repair companies advise you to set a single constant temperature, and maintain that temperature, both night and day, varying by only a few degrees, if at all. The recommended ‘set point’ is typically about 76 degrees for our area.

* Change the battery for the thermostat. If your unit has a battery for the thermostat, change the batteries as necessary.

* Keep the blinds, shades and curtains closed. Keeping the direct sunlight from coming into your home will keep the inside temperature cooler.

* Use fans. A ceiling fan can make the room feel 6-7 degrees cooler and uses less than 100 watt light bulb. Room fans will help circulate cool air from cooler rooms to warmer rooms.

* Do not open the door. Do not open the outside doors to your home more than necessary.

* Stay hydrated. Have plenty of cool drinks available. Water is best. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

* Use a damp cloth. If you are still too warm, a cool damp cloth or towel placed on your neck will help cool you off.

WHAT TO DO IF THE A/C IS NOT WORKING?

* Is the unit frozen up? Check the outside unit. Is there frost or ice on the unit? If so the unit is frozen up. Turn off the A/C unit for at least 2 hours for it to un-thaw.

When you do turn the unit back on set the thermostat at 82 degrees and lower the temperature 2 degrees per hour. Setting the unit at 70 degrees to cool the house off quicker will only result in freezing the unit up again.

* Check the filter. When was the last time it was changed?

* Check the battery for the thermostat. Are they good?

* Check the breaker. Sometimes the breaker will trip on the unit. The breaker usually is outside near the unit. If there is not a breaker near the unit it will be inside the house or the garage. Flip the breaker.

* DO NOT LOWER THE THERMOSTAT. If anything raise the thermostat a couple of degrees to see if the unit can catch up.

* THINGS TO REMEMBER.

* Repairmen do not work in the dark. It is unsafe for the repairman to work in the dark. He can not see what needs to done.

* Calls are answer in the order they are received. The repairmen are answering the calls as fast as they can. Calling multiple times will not get them there quicker.

* Parts may need to be ordered. Repairmen keep as many parts as they can to work on the A/C units. However, sometimes the part may need to be ordered.

Compressors are not kept on hand. It may take a day or two to get the problem solved.

* You may need to find somewhere to go. All efforts will be made to make repairs as quickly as possible. However, there may be times where you may need to stay with friends or family till the repair is completed or make other accommodations.