We’re currently under a Heat Dome in Tennessee, and the temps aren’t going to drop until next week. This is just a part of the Long Emergency everyone is going to have to deal with now.
Remember to check in with your neighbors, especially the elderly ones. I know mine like it hot, but a heat like this can quickly put them in danger.
Planning ahead for a time when either this heat dome or the next take out the power grid is something I do, but this time I’m putting my back-of-the-napkin ideas out there for others to use.
There’s going to be a couple different sections to this covering different things someone could do to keep the inside of a building at a livable temperature.
- Things to do to the building
- Running a small AC to keep a room cool
- Keeping people cool
- Going somewhere else
Building modifications
It sounds silly to put it this way, but keeping the sun from directly shining on the house will make it cooler.
When I worked on Rx fires two decades ago it was always amazing to see the fire line die down as a cloud rolled overhead. It would immediately lower the temperature and raise the humidity.
The walls of modern building should be fairly insulated, but windows and doors can warm up and transfer heat into the house. Blackout curtains on windows will keep out some of the direct sunlight, and shade cloths or shudders on the outside will keep the heat from hitting the windows.
If you’re looking for ways to use things that you may already own moving a patio umbrella to where it shades some windows will help. Blankets can be used a curtains indoors and sun shades outside to add shade to the side of the house.
The Cool Room
This involves spending money if you don’t already have the items, but the items can be used for other things until the heat dome brings the grid down.
You need an AC window unit and a backup battery (like an ecoflow or jackey) that can run it. While you’re already spending the money, it would be a good idea to pick up some solar panels that will work with the battery. The panels will help recharge the battery during the day when you’ll need the AC the most, adding a bit of run time to the setup.
While the power’s still on you can run the AC to keep one room a little cooler than the rest of the house, helping out your stressed HVAC system. The battery pack you can keep around to use in case of a non-heat related power outage the rest of the year, and the solar panels can help you keep it charged for free.
Keep your body cool
Drink water! If you think you’ve had enough then drink some more. If the power goes out
Sit in front of a fan. Airflow will help your body’s sweat evaporate, even if the air is warm. You can also place moist bandannas or towels around your neck; this lets the water in the bandana evaporate without your body losing moisture. There are cheap, USB powered fans that can be run off of one of those small battery packs they sell to recharge phones.
If you feel yourself getting overheated, get some ice packs and place them under your arms to cool down quickly.
Evacuating
Have a plan to go somewhere you know will be cooler than your house or apartment. If the power goes out and you don’t have the ability to make a “cool room” or you think the power will not be back on anytime soon you will need a place to go.
Controlled brownouts will be focused on residential areas more than commercial areas (and we all know the reason why). Public libraries will probably still be powered during a brownout, as will community centers and park buildings. You could also pay to see a matinee or work at a coffee shop. Waffle House still has bottomless cups of coffee 24/7.
These are just ideas that can be turned into plans of action if the need arises. The world isn’t going to get any cooler anytime soon, and the Long Emergency, as author Adam Greenfield names it, is here.
Again, remember to check in with your neighbors. We can get through this, but it would be much easier to get through this together.