Wednesday, July 23, 2025

TIP - Get Cool Before It’s Hot

Compare the dirty and the clean filter.

A properly maintained cooling system can save on energy costs and keep your home comfortable all summer long. Now, before it gets hot, is the best time to have your HVAC cooling system serviced.

You can do some routine maintenance, like changing or cleaning filters, inspecting equipment and checking refrigerant levels. You can also schedule a professional check-up and needed servicing with a qualified HVAC technician before the peak-season rush.

These simple steps will help you avoid expensive emergency repairs and extend the lifespan of your equipment. So get ready for air-conditioning season before the hot weather strikes.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

QUIZ- Which is more ecological, hand washing dishes or using a dishwasher?

Which is more ecological?

Of course the answer will depend on the size of your sink, your dishwashing procedure, and the specifications of your dishwasher. But generally, the dishwasher is more energy efficient. Why is that?

It’s all due to hot water.

Filling the average kitchen sink to soak dirty dishes in takes 4-6 gallons of hot water. Some people rinse the washed dishes in a second sink full of water. Others run the water, which uses about 2 gallons of water per minute, depending on the faucet.

On the other hand, a dishwasher uses about 3-4 gallons of hot water for one cycle.

Doing the math, the dishwasher uses less hot water. That means it uses less electricity to run the water heater, meaning you save on two utility bills.

How can you make using the dishwasher even more efficient?
  • Only run the dishwasher when it is full.
  • Don’t pre-rinse dishes. Just scrape them before loading them.
  • Skip the heated drying cycle. Instead, open the door slightly at the end of the cycle to allow steam to escape.
How can you make hand washing dishes more efficient?
  • Be sure to scrap the dishes before putting them in the soapy hot water.
  • Fill the sink only half way. That’s enough water to do the job.
  • Rinse the cleaned dishes in cold water.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Heat Domes

Heat Dome

You may have heard about heat domes in the news. Perhaps you have even experienced one, or are living in one right now. What exactly is a heat dome? How does it form? And what are the consequences of being in a heat dome? Does this have anything to do with climate change?

A heat dome is a weather phenomenon. A large area of high pressure traps warm air over a region, and this can last days or weeks. High pressure means the air is being pressed down, and compressing air heats it up. The high pressure is like a lid, keeping the heated air from rising, so the temperature at ground level increases significantly. The temperature under a heat dome is often above the average normal high temperature for the region.

Normally, the jet stream, which is a band of strong winds in the upper atmosphere, moves from west to east, pushing weather across the continent. Sometimes the jet stream becomes weak or stalls. Then a large high pressure system can become persistent. The high pressure also suppresses the formation of clouds. Less cloud cover means more sunlight hits the surface of the earth, increasing the temperature at ground level. Changes in oceanic climate patterns, such as La NiƱa, can also affect wind flow patterns, causing stagnation of warm air.

Heat domes have consequences at various levels. For individuals, heat domes can increase health risks, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, elders and persons with underlying health conditions. High temperatures increase the amount of water vapor in the air. Sweating, the body’s natural cooling mechanism, is impaired by high humidity, adding to the problems. Individuals may suffer heat exhaustion, heatstroke or death. The extreme weather can negatively affect mental health as well as physical.

Heat domes also impact the environment. The extremely high temperatures increase evaporation rates, reducing soil moisture and causing or increasing droughts. High temperatures can cause mass die-offs of vegetation and marine life. Dry plants and high temperatures are favorable conditions for wildfires.

In addition to health and environmental impacts, heat domes also impact infrastructure. Crops can be damaged or destroyed, leading to a depressed agricultural economy and higher grocery costs. Power grids are strained by very high usage.

Climate change does seem to be increasing both the frequency and intensity of heat domes. Greenhouse gases trap heat lower in the atmosphere, contributing to the high pressure areas that create heat domes. And since the Arctic is warming faster than the equatorial regions, the jet stream is weakened.

For information on how to prepare for and how to stay safe during a heat dome:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/general-health/how-to-stay-safe-during-a-heat-wave/


Thursday, July 3, 2025

Healthinfo Island Displays and Exhibits for July 2025

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the SLURLs in this posting. In Second Life, click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images. If you click each poster, you will get a private message with additional information and live links.


Kidney Knowledge
Kidney Knowledge

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22


Social Wellness Month
Social Wellness Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24


Our Amazing Hands
Our Amazing Hands
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22


Our Wonderful Feet
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24


Why You Should Read More
Why You Should Read More
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26


Racial Disparities in Health and Healthcare
Racial Disparities in Health and Healthcare in the U.S.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28


Have a Safe and Happy Summer
Have a Safe and Happy Summer
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30


July is Sarcoma Awareness Month
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32


Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island
Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24

Thank you to Mook for help with the posters this month.