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Stacie Spidle · May 31, 2016, 12:10 PM

Need help with air conditioning for senior citizens.

joypulv · May 31, 2016, 12:24 PM

If you own your home, chances are slim that you will find any organization giving away air conditioners and installing them. Possibly a church group will put a small one in a bedroom for you, or any one room, after you buy one. Then you have to pay a higher electric bill each month.

I'm a senior and don't want A/C in my home. I go around each morning and night and open and close shades and windows instead, taking advantage of cooler night air.

If you are a home owner, talk to your bank about a home equity loan, or even about whether or not a reverse mortgage might be right for you to get extra money each month.

Bottom line, this is a local question, not for the internet. Call your town hall for a start.

ScottGem · May 31, 2016, 01:51 PM

Can you be more specific? Are you looking for HVAC techs to provide lower cost repairs? Or are you looking for grants to provide air conditioners or what?

Fr_Chuck · May 31, 2016, 11:39 PM

I know, a few years ago, if you were over 70, lived in Atlanta, and was below the poverty level. With no resources in the bank. They had fans and some window air units to be used for one room. For some poor families.

Also many non profits (check with the religious group of your choice) what they may do.

If the person is a veteran, check with the local VFW, AM Legion or other group.

Alty · Jun 1, 2016, 12:08 AM

Sadly AC is a luxury, not a necessity. I know many charities will provide money for heat, for water, for electricity, food, a stove, etc. But AC? That's not a necessity to live. Most people live without it.

Having said that, you really don't give enough information to answer this question adequately.

ScottGem · Jun 1, 2016, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by Alty

Sadly AC is a luxury, not a necessity.

I can't quite agree with that. For some people, with certain health conditions, in certain regions it may be a necessity. But generally, yes.

Alty · Jun 1, 2016, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by ScottGem

I can't quite agree with that. For some people, with certain health conditions, in certain regions it may be a necessity. But generally, yes.

Before AC was invented people lived without it, and survived. People can still live without it and survive. It's not a necessity. You don't need it to live. It may make you more comfortable, but it's really not a necessity.

Food is a necessity, water is a necessity, clothing is a necessity, but AC is definitely not. Most people don't have AC, and they live in warm climates. In Canada and Germany (especially Germany), it can get very hot in the summer. Suffocation hot. None of my family in Germany have AC. Heck, their windows don't even have screens, so opening windows is not an option, you'll let all the bugs in (black flies that bite you during the night and you end up not even able to open your eyes in the morning, they're swollen shut. Been there, done that).

In 2001 when we went to Germany, it was 40C plus the entire 3 weeks we were there. Very hot. The highest temp was 46C (115F). We decided to go shopping, thinking that the stores would have AC, and we could cool off. Nope, none of the stores had AC. It was like walking from one oven to the next. We ended up driving around a lot that day because thankfully the van we rented did have AC.

But none of the people complained. We were the only ones that found it bothersome and annoying. They're all used to it, and take it in stride, old, young, and between.

J_9 · Jun 1, 2016, 03:31 PM

Alty, that may be true in Canada. Here in the southern US asthma, COPD and emphysema are at an all time high. Temps here frequently reach 100+ with 90% humidity.

In my neck of the woods the elderly, small children, and people with certain health conditions die every summer because of the heat.

Most people don't have AC? I beg to differ. Where I live 98% of the population have AC,and when the summer heats up, shelters open for those that don't. Window ACs are given free to those that qualify.

Now, when I lived in Alaska it was a luxury. My sister lives in Dubai, where temps reach above 125F in the summer. It's a necessity for some in some locations, but not for everyone.

ScottGem · Jun 1, 2016, 03:59 PM

We have a Swiss affiliate and hear much the same thing about lack of AC. But the people there were raised without AC so their bodies are more used to it. The air quality is also different.

But J_9 is right. Heat CAN kill. I'm not saying everyone needs AC. But there are certainly some people in some areas who are at risk without it. I wouldn't support paying for AC with public money unless a doctor prescribed it. But I have to disagree that AC is not a necessity for some people. I would say the percentage is fairly small, but it does exist.