With the recent record high temperatures in Sonoma County, SSU Residents slowly melt as dorms do not have A/C. During the third week of school, Sonoma county set some record high temperatures. On Tues. Sept.6, Santa Rosa recorded temperatures of up to 115 degrees, melting the previous record high of 113 degrees on July 1. 1913
Bailey Rodriguez, freshman Criminal Justice major has been having many restless nights due to this heat wave. Rodriguez expressed how it is hard to circulate the air in the dorms. Rodriguez said, “One thing that I have been doing to stay cool is going to Starbucks. It's very cool there and it's a nice way to get a cold drink and get some homework done.”
Bob Owen, a junior Electrical Engineering Major, would like to see the campus do more for students during this heatwave and offered advice for anyone struggling with the weather. Owen said, “SSU should rent swamp coolers for students who register for one.” Owen also is worried about not being able to use his computer for homework with concern of it overheating.
This record high heat is not common as we have not hit this high of temperatures in decades. Dr. Daniel Soto, Global Environmental Planning (GEP) Department Chair and Associate Professor explained why local temperatures got so high in an email. Soto wrote, “We are experiencing a weather effect called a heat dome where our air is trapped and compressed, leading to unusually high temperatures.”
According to the Press Democrat, Tuesday set a record for the hottest daily temperature and the hottest Sept day.
Many emergency energy alerts were sent out to the county as the use of power increased. As temperatures rise, air conditioners have to consume more electricity to keep homes cool. Soto explains, “The alert was sent because the electricity used by California was going to be greater than the electricity available, which would have caused a blackout. Enough folks responded by reducing electricity use that we avoided a large blackout.”
SSU GEP Professor Jeffery Baldwin responded to questions regarding these power spikes as well as why transformers in power lines overheat.
Baldwin wrote in an email, “Often transformers in power lines fail because they get overheated from too much electricity and for too long a time period so they don't have a chance to cool down.” If not cooled down properly transformers can cause a power outage or even worse a fire.
Baldwin also elaborated on the inner workings of in-home air-conditioning. When a home is weatherized, the structures retain thermal energy better which means they stay cool more easily when it's hot. Modernization such as weather-proofing can be very beneficial for a home. There are other, newer technologies, such as heat pumps and heat exchangers, that are more energy efficient than older cooling systems. This efficiency can actually decrease energy use. “Rooftop solar, which will soon be required for new residential construction in California, can produce enough electricity to power cooling and heating for a home. So, modernization can make homes safer/more comfortable, and decrease strain on energy systems.” Baldwin said.
SSU cares about student safety and has provided students with some resources to stay cool if needed.
Erin Hunter, Residential Education and Campus Housing (REACH) Director, recommends students who need to cool off go to various cooling centers. Hunter also pointed students in the direction of the University Library and/or the Student Center and Student Center Valley Rooms. Both are open from 7:30a.m.-10:00p.m.
If students are not on campus, there are some cooling centers nearby. Petaluma Community Center, 320 McDowell Blvd. Rohnert Park Senior Center, 6800 Hunter Drive. Santa Rosa Finley Community Center, 2060 College Ave. Additional cooling centers can be found on the PG&E website.
Julian Finley, a sophomore Business Administration Major, would like to see the campus do more in regards to helping students stay cool. Finley said, “It would be cool if they put misters like at six flags around campus, but we’re also in a drought. Maybe some kind of free shaved ice thing would make everyone feel better.”
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