Some businesses don?t want temperatures to cool off.
During the summer, there is no shortage of demand for air conditioning, pools or snow cones. For some, it means more business and more money, while for others it means longer hours and harder work.
“With the heat approaching 100, we?re backed up a lot,” said Tom Cavin, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning manager with Catons Plumbing Heating & Cooling in Baltimore. “The technicians are putting in long hours, and they?re starting to get worn out. They?re working about 15 to 20 hours a week more than usual, and the heat itself is just slowing them down.”
And with the heat continuing to crank up, power is needed to run the air conditioners. The hotter the weather gets, the lower residents and businesses set their thermostats, creating a huge draw on power.
“Part of our business is to be taking a look at temperatures and make sure the resources are there so that customers will have electricity,” said Allen Staggers, a spokesman for Allegheny Power. “When we get into these high-demand days, we take special steps to monitor conditions on our electric transmission system.”
The Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks reported a 20 percent increase in swimmers since June 23.
Outside the city, in Howard County, Rob Goldman, vice president of sport and fitness for the Columbia Association, told The Examiner that in June, nearly 113,000 people used one of the association?s 23 pools, up more than 8,000 swimmers from a year ago. The Severna Park Racquetball & Fitness Club has also gotten its fair share of swimmers.
“We are packed, just loaded from 5:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.” said Sharon Polek, the club?s aquatics director. “Usually, people go to outdoor pools, but this week they?recoming inside. Without a doubt, this week is the greatest increase all summer.”
Elysha Krupp contributed to this story.
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