Calgarians find ways to stay cool inside their homes without AC units
As the heat wave continues to grip much of Alberta, including Calgary, it’s been a challenge for many people to not only stay cool outdoors but inside as well, especially for those without an air conditioner.
Tom Zarokostas doesn’t have an AC unit and must find ways to manage the temperature inside his home as best as possible.
"Opening up the windows at night and making sure we’re getting a cross breeze. I have a fan and I get that going full blast right next to the bed side," he said.
Zarokostas also avoids cooking indoors altogether on scorching days and utilizes his grill outside.
He says he’s not in the market for an air conditioner yet.
"For the amount of time that we need to use it I don’t think it’s worth it to me. The very least I’d probably invest in a portable air conditioner for the house and that’s probably it."
During the heat wave, air conditioning companies like W & J Heating, are seeing a spike in demand.
"Right now we’re experiencing a high volume of calls from air conditioners breaking down to people wanting to install air conditioners," said W & J Heating owner, Jordan Derdall.
The units cost anywhere between $4000 - $6500 depending on size and efficiency and the wait list to get one installed is about three weeks.
"I always tell people the best time to get them is usually March, April or May before that hot weather hits. Those people who pre-plan can kind of enjoy the AC for the entire season rather than trying to rush out and getting it at the tail end there," said Derdall.
Derdall said the increase in sales started during last year’s heat wave in June and the momentum has kept going into this season.
For families who haven’t invested in an air conditioner unit yet, there are other ways to stay cool, include booking into a hotel.
In a statement, Sol Zia, with the Calgary Hotel Association, says,
"With the return of hot weather, above seasonal averages, we have seen weekend hotel bookings increase from local area residents. Hotels with swimming pools have observed the bulk of last minute weekend bookings," Zia said.
For Zarokostas, he’s not checking into a hotel. Instead, if he needs a break from the heat in the house, he has his convertible Mustang.
"Drop the top and go for a cruise and enjoy the sun and the breeze. Frankly I actually love the hot weather because we don’t get too much of it like this in Calgary so it’s kind of like being on vacation at home."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.