This prior summer season was absolutely brutal in late June. We saw record-breaking temperatures above 112 degrees in my area alone, with surrounding cities in this state being between 100 and 110 degrees. I naturally had the air conditioner on for most days and nights, regardless of the changes in temperatures that are normal from week to week throughout the summer season historically. When I turned on the news and saw what was happening in the Pacific Northwest, I was shocked to hear that people were dying in temperatures higher than 115 degrees because they lived in homes that lacked air conditioners. Since that area is cold for most of the year, it’s understandable that so many people would go through life without ever buying a cooling system for their home. When people tried to buy air conditioners, they were told no or forced to wait days or weeks behind the others waiting in line for the same reason. Thankfully, temperatures are slowly starting to change in my area. It’s late September and we just had our first mild cold nsap since spring. The leaves are losing their green and sliding into an amber hue. It’s no secret that autumn is on its way. Before I know it, I’ll have the furnace running as frequently as I run the air conditioner in the summer. I never get a break from high energy bills while living in this region. My parents love living down south where they only need a/c when it’s warm outside, otherwise they can open windows or doors to get a gentle breeze inside.