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NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – New Rochelle senior citizen Vinny Dunn took advantage of New Rochelle's cooling facility at the Hugh Doyle Senior Center during the first day of the heat wave Wednesday.
“I’m COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),” said Dunn. “This weather is bad for that.”
The center is open additional hours Wednesday and Thursday for senior citizens seeking relief, the city said. The center, located at 94 Davis Ave., will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.
The New Rochelle Public Library is also open Wednesday until 6 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Residents are being reminded to avoid strenuous activity, especially outdoors, dress in light-color clothing, drink lots of water and eat light meals with fruits and vegetables.
Office for the Aging Executive Director Phillis Maucieri said she received no complaints from seniors about heat-related issues Wednesday.
“So far nobody’s really had problems or issues,” she said. “It’s just the first day.”
Wednesday afternoon was sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values reached 106, according to the National Weather Service.
Wednesday night was forecasted to be mostly clear with a low around 74. Thursday is predicted to be sunny and hot with high temperatures again near 100 degrees.
There's a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday night between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. Conditions will otherwise be partly cloudy with a low around 76.
Friday will be mostly cloudy with a high near 92. There is also a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon.
Con Edison offered these energy-saving tips to help customers save power while staying cool:
• Make sure air-conditioner filters are clean for peak efficiency.
• Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees. Each degree lower increases cooling costs by 6 percent, the company said.
• Close off rooms not being used if you have a room air-conditioner. If you have central air, block the vents in unused rooms.
• Turn off lights and other appliances, using a timer to turn them on as necessary.
• Run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers in the early morning or late at night when it's generally cooler. Another alternative: use a microwave to cook, or an outdoors barbecue.
Customers can report power interruptions or service problems, view service restoration information and the outage map online, the company said. They also may call 1-800-75-CONED if they experience service difficulties.
The power company has invested $1.2 billion for system improvements for this year. The company has spent $928 million on cables, transformers and network protectors; $34 million on transmission upgrades; and $208 million on new substation installations and related equipment.
The company also reminds customers that $25 rebates are available for customers who invest in cost-cutting Energy Star-rated room air conditioners. Applications for the $25 rebate can be downloaded at www.coned.com/roomacrebates.
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