Beat High Energy Costs While Staying Cool

These days, any homeowner or renter knows all too well about the rising cost of energy. It seems air conditioners, whether it's central air or a window unit, cost more to run each year -- using more and more British Thermal Units (BTUs). And with summer in full swing, people are beginning to wonder how they're going to pay their utility bill when the need to stay cool becomes greater.

We've all heard about, or perhaps even experienced, the blackouts in California that have caused energy costs to increase as much as four times when compared to last year. Unfortunately, these rates are steadily increasing. With the deregulation of utility prices, who knows how high your air conditioning bills could reach this summer. California has imposed a rolling blackout plan to conserve electricity this summer, and residents are feeling the strain.

"My electric bill went through the roof. I'm suddenly conscious about the way I use electrical appliances. Water cooler talk is no longer about ski areas or sport utility vehicles, people are now talking about the electrical cost of operating different appliances," said California resident Michael Pulling. "My electrical bill went from a minor irritation to a serious budget item to be reckoned with."

Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion

The rising cost of electricity is not the only problem to take into consideration this summer. Conservative estimates indicate that every year about 240 people die from heat related incidents, mostly seniors and infants. To make matters worse, heat and heat waves are projected to increase in severity and frequency, according to a May 2001 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

During the 2 to 3 week period of the 1995 heat wave that crippled Chicago the temperatures ranged from 93 degrees to 104 degrees, the heat index (the apparent temperature) peaked to 119 degrees on July 13, resulting in a total of 465 deaths. Of the 437 decedents whose ages could be determined, 222 (51 percent of the deaths) were seniors age 75 or greater.

The CDC states that "[p]eople suffer heat related illness when the body's temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn't enough. In such cases, a person's body temperature rises rapidly. Very high temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs."

Misting and Conductive Cooling

It's important to keep cool this summer, even if you don't live in California or Chicago, and it's never been easier or more affordable. A new breakthrough in personal coolants allows you to have a personal, portable air-cooling system powered by a pump or batteries, for a fraction of the cost of an air conditioner or those outrageous monthly electricity bills.

Misty Mate, Inc., makers of personal, portable cooling systems, has just introduced Artic Blast, the closest thing to a personal air conditioner ever invented. Operating on a 6-volt rechargeable battery and made to be worn as a belt around your waist, the Artic Blast works in both dry and humid conditions and weighs about 2 pounds when filled with water. The powerful fan can be adjusted from a gentle breeze to over a 20 mile per hour wind speed, and the one button operation of the mist can immediately drop temperatures around you as much as 30 degrees.

Misting works by forcing pressurized water through specially designed nozzles in Misty Mate products, producing an ultra fine mist. The water droplets that these nozzles create are so small (about one-half the diameter of a strand of hair), they instantly flash-evaporate in dry conditions. This dome of cool, refreshing air insulates you from the harsh effects of the hot sun, making outdoor activities more fun, safe and enjoyable. So, whether you're in dry Arizona or humid Florida, you can keep cool no matter how high the temperature reaches this summer.

Easy Steps to Prevent Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion

It's difficult to avoid the temptation of the sun this summer, so the makers of Misty Mate offers these tips to have a healthy summer and avoid heat related illnesses:

- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in hot weather.

- Rest frequently.

- Avoid hot places.

- Drink adequate fluids.

- Avoid overheating if you are taking drugs that impair heat regulation, or if you are obese or elderly.

- Exercise gradually and increase salt and water intake.

First Aid DO NOT'S for Heat Related Emergencies:

- DO NOT underestimate the seriousness of heat illness, especially if the victim is a child, is elderly, or is injured.

- DO NOT give the victim medications that are used to treat fever (such as aspirin). They will not help, and they may be harmful.

- DO NOT give the victim salt tablets.

- DO NOT overlook possible complications resulting from a victim's other medical problems (such as high blood pressure).

- DO NOT give the victim liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. They will interfere with the body's ability to control its internal temperature.

-DO NOT give the victim anything by mouth (not even salted drinks) if the person is vomiting or is unconscious.

For more information about heatstroke and heat exhaustion, please contact your physician. For more information about Misty Mate products, please visit their Web site at www.mistymate.com, or call (800) 233-6478.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

EDITOR'S NOTE: Headquartered in Gilbert, Ariz., Misty Mate was founded by Steve Utter in 1989 and manufactures a wide range of personal and general use cooling products. Due to the portability and convenience of their invention, Misty Mate was asked by the U.S. Olympic Committee to provide their cool mist products at the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1995 in Colorado Springs, Colo. and used a year later by the U.S. Olympic Team during the 1996 Olympics in hot and humid Atlanta, Ga. Misty Mate's products are also used by the NFL, Major League Baseball, and the NCAA.