As record-setting heat wave sets in, demand for AC jumps

Heating and cooling companies are seeing an uptick in calls from Minnesotans with broken air conditioning units as extreme heat sets in.

"They would rather go without heat for a week than without air for an hour," explained Ed Pelto, owner of Ed’s Heating and Air in Woodbury.

Temperatures hit a record-setting 97 degrees on Friday, and the high on Saturday is projected to be just as hot, which would be another record.

"If it’s hot, the phones are ringing and people are panicking," Pelto said. "I’ve got installs scheduled through next Thursday, but some of the bigger companies are booked out two, three, four weeks, maybe a month."

Matthew Mueller said his AC motor blower broke last Friday, so his family has been without air conditioning for a week.

He is grateful to get it fixed before the hot weekend.

"It’s going to be that ‘ahhh’ moment. That’s going to be the feeling when we get the AC turned on in the house," Mueller said.

Pelto recommends people turn their air conditioning off right away if they notice it is not working correctly.

"The biggest thing is if you realize it’s not holding set point, turn it off because it’s just going to make things worse and our job harder. If it’s not working, turn it off and call for service."