The heat index is a calculation of the outdoor temperature and relative humidity. If the outdoor temperature is 94 degrees and the relative humidity is 75 percent, the heat index is 105 degrees. In these conditions, people are urged to take precautions such as limiting strenuous outdoor activity, increasing water consumption and spending time in an air-conditioned environment. Though uncomfortable, most healthy people can manage for two or three days without air-conditioning and not suffer serious health effects. After about three days though, especially for high risk people, the body loses its ability to efficiently cool itself and heat illness begins to occur.
Some people are reluctant to use the air-conditioner for fear of high utility bills.
Most utility companies including the local Reliant Energy, offer assistance which should enable most electricity users to remain healthy while managing the utility expense. Balanced billing equalizes the monthly payments a utility user will pay and will eliminate the high spikes that often occur in July and August. Utility assistance, a monthly bill reduction, is also available to qualified low income applicants. During periods of heat emergency, utility companies are prohibited from disconnecting residential utilities due to lack of payment until after the crisis. Do not use a fan in an unair-conditioned room if the room temperature is over 85 degrees.