Summer is here, and with the season comes the heat. Especially in an older population, like ours at The Villages, heat stroke can be fatal – one needs to take measures to keep cool. On excessively hot days it is best to shelter in a cool environment. If your home’s cooling system is not up to the task, and friends or relatives are unable to shelter you, there are several cooling centers open throughout Santa Clara county.
While the Villages is not providing cooling centers at this time, all four pools are open for use by all Villagers with no reservation required. Click the links below for location and hours of each of the pools.
The following areas are open and available for resident use to beat the heat. Click the links for location and hours.
Or take in a nice meal indoors at the Clubhouse Restaurant
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) could call for Flex Alerts, where everyone is asked to save energy from 4 to 9 p.m. to lessen the stress on the electrical grid and prevent rolling blackouts.
Here are a few more tips on how you can do your part:
- Avoid using large appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers.
- Set air conditioners to 78 degrees or higher if health permits.
- Turn off unneeded lights.
- Close blinds and curtains.
- Charge electronics overnight or in the morning.
- Open windows overnight or in the morning to let cool air in.
If you depend on electricity for a health condition, have an emergency plan in place for outages. In addition, make sure your contact information is up to date with PG&E at pge.com or 1-866-743-6589.
Hot Summer Days and Cooling Readiness
As hotter days arrive in the summer months (June, July and August), you may be considering utilizing the home air-conditioning system for cooling. Fortunately, all condo homes at The Villages include a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to provide for indoor cooling.
HVAC systems consistent of many component parts that may fail gradually or suddenly and render the cooling function inoperable. Based on experience, we understand components may fail in hotter temperature conditions (e.g. a capacitor in the condenser). This condenser assembly is typically located outside of the home (in a common area utility enclosure, in a landscape area at side or rear of a home or on the roof, in the case of Montgomery, The Heights, Hermosa and Verano).
As an owner-maintained system (not under Villages maintenance responsibility), it is advisable that residents verify—with their preferred air-conditioning vendor—that the HVAC system is in good working order. Furthermore, it is advisable the vendor is licensed and insured.
If you do not have an HVAC service vendor, you may start by contacting vendors advertising in The Villager, the Villages Telephone Directory or the Villages Resource Guide. Many of these vendors are frequently here at The Villages, servicing your neighbors.