Triple-digit temperatures across North Texas this week are adding to the strain on AC systems at homes, offices, and businesses in the area, including multiple fire stations in Dallas, according to the Dallas Fire Fighters Association (DFFA).
DFFA President Jim McDade said it is not uncommon for units to begin breaking down as heat rises. Despite expectations that broken AC units will be replaced, some stations have been waiting years for new units.
Some stations are utilizing portable air conditioning units as a stopgap measure, but the small units are not powerful enough to effectively cool the fire stations.
“It cools the station down to probably 85 degrees at best, and at some stations, it’s even warmer,” said McDade, per CBS News. “There are five to eight stations that are supposed to be getting new AC systems in the next few weeks, but some of them we’ve also been waiting for multiple years.”
“It’s a yearly occurrence,” he added.
“I’m more shocked when things get done than by the timeframes that they give us these days,” McDade continued, per CBS News. “It’s getting old at this point, you know. This issue should be addressed and should be addressed in a timely fashion.”
The dangerously high temperatures this week and the lack of sufficient air conditioning have reportedly affected the firefighters.
“It makes it harder to sleep at night,” said McDade, per CBS News. “When we can catch a little bit of sleep, it’s hot — which is not conducive to keep anybody healthy … mentally, physically, in any sort of way.”
Some homeowners have noticed their AC units running almost constantly in an effort to cool their homes, leading to mechanical failures and breakdowns. Click here for a list of tips for better running AC units.
The increased demand for air conditioning is also putting an increased strain on the Texas state power grid, as reported by The Dallas Express. On Tuesday, ERCOT issued a Voluntary Conservation Notice, requesting users reduce their electricity usage during the hottest part of the day when possible.
