Cool Zones
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- 6 min to read
San Diego, USA
About the city. Heatwaves have become more frequent in the region of San Diego.
Goal
The main goal is to help older adults and others keep cool and save energy costs during hot weather.
Implementation period. The program, established by San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, has been helping seniors and persons with disabilities beat the heat since 2001.
Fact
Temperatures over 100 °F are not normal there. The city averages only one day a year when the thermometer reaches 90 degrees. A day of 80 degrees can happen in any month but December.
Solutions
Cool Zone sites, mostly located in the hottest areas of the county, help older adults and others keep cool and save energy costs.
In the summer, the County designates Cool Zone sites, air-conditioned settings where seniors and others can spend some time. The sites encourage people to share air conditioning during the heat of the day, decreasing individual usage and helping to conserve energy for the whole community.
Residents can use officially sanctioned Cool Zones to escape the heat and rest up before going back outside.
The list of some cool zones is here.
Cool Zones Fan Program
During this hot weather, seniors can stay home and stay cool. Not all seniors or persons with disabilities can leave home to escape the heat. Homebound individuals, those lacking transportation, and those who decide to stay home due to the risk of COVID-19 may not be able to take advantage of traditional Cool Zone sites.
To help these community members beat the heat, the County of San Diego, in partnership with SDG&E, provides free electric fans to those who are living on limited incomes. To be eligible, a resident must not have access to an air-conditioned space at their home or apartment building.
To learn more about the fan program or to request a fan, call Aging & Independence Services at (800) 339-4661.
Challenges
Problem. Covid-19
Solution. Due to COVID-19, safety measures are in place to protect the health of Cool Zone visitors and staff. Anyone entering a Cool Zone will have their temperature taken. All visitors and staff must also wear face coverings and practice social distancing. Time limits may be in place due to limited capacity.
Team
The City of San Diego, Health & Human Services Agency. The program is a partnership with SDG&E. The company provides natural gas and electricity to San Diego County and southern Orange County in southwestern California.
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