Central Texas hit its highest temperatures of the year so far, creating both a safety risk in the heat and more pressure on household electric bills.
With highs near 103 degrees and a heat index of 115 on July 22, the region was dealing with dangerous weather as CBS Austin highlighted one low-effort way to limit summer energy costs: nudging the thermostat up a bit.
What’s happening?
The heat was intense enough that Bobby Jones, identified by CBS Austin as the North Austin owner of Project Serve Beach at The Domain, was spraying down sand volleyball courts just to keep them playable. “That is smoking hot. Holy mackerel,” Jones said.
Jones told CBS Austin that wet sand and plenty of water can help players cope with the conditions, though there is only so much relief when the sun is unrelenting. “As long as you have access to water and a watering hose and you can water down the sand and hose off between games, it is pretty good,” he said…