Staff Reports
The American South is known for its hot and humid weather, where stepping outside feels like getting smacked in the face with a sauna. Meanwhile, people in the American Southwest brag about their scorching heat with low humidity. Regardless, it’s hot everywhere. But now, the Biden administration is set to make HVAC repairs more expensive for everyone, and that’s not cool.
The Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) is planning a 40% production cut in hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of refrigerants used in air conditioners. As a result, the prices of many HFCs have already tripled, including the one used in most home air conditioners. Homeowners are already paying $150-$200 more to replace refrigerant lost from leaks, and it’s only going to get worse. Stricter production quotas will drive up refrigerant costs and repair costs with them. Thanks, Biden!
Not only are HVAC repairs about to burn a hole in our wallets, but these policies can also cost lives. In Europe, where air conditioning isn’t as common as in the US, heat waves killed over 61,000 people last summer. The most affected were women and vulnerable groups. Making it harder for people to cool their houses is a short-sighted decision that ignores the real-life consequences of top-down policymaking.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has the audacity to tell Americans to keep their thermostats at 78 degrees while at home, 82 degrees when asleep, and 85 degrees when away. But according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a comfortable temperature ranges from 68 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the workplace. So, who should we believe? Maybe the White House and Congress should lead by example and crank up their thermostats to 80 degrees during their daily press briefings. Let’s see how they like it.
It’s time for Democrats to stop being hypocrites and start facing the consequences of their own policies. If HVAC repair costs skyrocket and people suffer from heat-related illnesses or even die, the blame shouldn’t solely fall on climate change. We should also consider the affordability of repairs. If the Biden administration truly wants to address climate change, they should lead by example, not dictate unrealistic thermostat settings.
It’s hot out there, and the Biden administration is just making it hotter for everyone else. So crank up those thermostats in federal buildings and let the Democrats feel the heat they’re pushing on the American people. Don’t hold your breath for any real change from this administration. They’re just like the last ones – full of empty promises and grandiose reports.
