Summer’s intense heat is forcing Hampton resident Adrian Thayer to weigh comfort against cost, as WTKR reports. The station reported that she relies on window air conditioners for relief after her main unit failed, but the higher cooling bills they cause could strain an already tight household budget.
What’s happening?
According to WTKR, the failure of Thayer’s main AC system pushed her toward window units she had not previously relied on. She told the network that replacing the central system would cost about $5,000, more than she can afford, so she is now preparing for steeper electric bills while trying to keep herself and her pets safe.
Thayer said that the uncertainty has been especially stressful because even temporary relief comes with difficult tradeoffs. If the window units have problems, it’s a bleak situation.
“Bills aren’t going to get paid,” she relayed to WTKR. “It’s going to cause me to cut back on toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent.”…