Beating the heat in Northwest Florida

EMERALD COAST,FL - The weather outside is frightful. But the cool air inside is delightful.

As temperatures climbed to the upper 90s again Tuesday, Gulf Power Co. reported near record-breaking usage as fans and air conditions kicked into high gear.

"Our all-time peak was back in 2007. That was about 2,634 megawatts," said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power's public affairs manager. "Today, we're anticipating 2,600 megawatts."

Because the area is part of a grid that includes cooler temperatures than the ones seen lately along the coast, Sims said the company would balance power and deter any chance of a brownout.

Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative (CHELCO) has installed "smart meters" that have identified overloaded transformers and prevented outages during the summer peak, said Aaron Bradshaw, vice president of marketing and member services.

Compared to last year, Bradshaw has not noticed an increase in power usage. CHELCO publishes monthly tips on saving energy and keeping cool. For example, keep curtains drawn and only run fans in occupied rooms.

"Fans don't cool rooms. They cool people," Bradshaw said.

Kathy Morrow of CHELCO said she practices what she preaches by conserving energy in spite of the heat.

"The reason is my husband is really cheap," she said. "We stay cool but we try to be smart about it."

The steamy weather has benefitted some local businesses by drawing crowds to the beach and nearby shops.

Sunny skies have brought throngs to Big Kahuna's water park.

"Everything's a little bit better than normal," said Bob Cordier, Big Kahuna's general manager. "Locals are coming out a lot more, season pass holders are really coming out. It's a good way for them to beat the heat."

The water park isn't the only business seeing big crowds.

"For us, the heat's been a good thing. I tell you what: We're having record waves of people come. It's got people in here to buy floats, shakes and malts," said Wayne Chernicky at Shake's Frozen Custard and Red Hot Chicago Dogs. "You can turn it down about five or 10 degrees, but it has helped."

Chernicky may have gotten his wish. Tuesday's scattered showers had a slight impact on local temperatures.

The 20 to 30 percent chance of rain forecasted over the next few days may keep highs out of the 100-degree range, but the heat index will remain high.

"It will basically be more of the same; not quite as hot but still above normal," said Don Shepherd, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mobile, Ala. "It's still dangerously hot."