The heat is on the CSRA with temperatures officially hitting 100 degrees a few days ago. Many other days have registered in the mid to upper 90s with heat index readings between 105 and 110.
About now, many folks are singing the praises of Willis Carrier who invented the first air conditioning unit in 1902. It might be even more practical these days to show some love to companies who keep those units running.
David Bragg, owner of Riverside Heating and Air Conditioning, has more than 30 years of experience in the HVAC business. He and his team are running to keep up with the demand.
“We are responding to about 20 to 25 calls a day. Everyone wants to stay cool and that’s our job,” said Bragg.
Where the heat has been most oppressive across the south, power companies are urging homeowners to follow the 20-degree rule. In other words, if it’s 100 degrees outside, set your thermostat to 80 degrees.
“Twenty degrees cooler inside compared to outdoor readings is about as good as it’s going to get.”
Can you set your thermostat to a lower reading? The short answer is yes but it might not help much, and you end up wasting energy and spending more money.
“Changing out air filters will help as will turning on fans to keep air circulating.”
Riverside Heating and Air also services commercial clients. As you might guess, restaurants are a challenge. For the same reason you don’t like heating up your kitchen at home, multiply that by the number of guests and meals prepared at a restaurant.
From dishwashers and ovens, to cook lines and toasters, commercial kitchen equipment generates a huge amount of heat in confined kitchen spaces. Even fridges generate heat and increase the ambient temperature. You could say it’s hotter than bacon grease in most restaurant kitchens, but businesses like Riverside Heating and Air are standing by to make sure employees and guests are comfortable.
For more information on Riverside Heating and Air, click here, or in Georgia, call: 706-420-3408 or South Carolina: 803-672-6215.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means! If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
