Cooling Centers and How to Keep Cool at Home

A cooling center is a place people can go to get relief from extreme heat.  Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help prevent heat-related illnesses.

During regular business hours: 

All Lincoln City Libraries locations and Lincoln Parks and Recreation Centers are available as cooling centers. Aging Partners Senior Centers will also be available.

Operating hours vary by facility. Click on links below for days and times by location.

Locations and Hours | Lincoln City Libraries

Recreation Centers – City of Lincoln, NE

Aging Partners Senior Centers

During an extreme heat warning:

The following cooling centers will be open until 8 p.m. daily:


Anderson Branch Library – 3635 Touzalin Ave.   402-441-8540

Monday - Thursday:  10 am - 8 pm
Friday - Saturday:  10 am - 8 pm
Sunday:  12 pm - 8 pm

Bennett Martin Public Library – 136 S. 14th St.   402-441-8500

Monday – Thursday:  10 am – 8 pm
Friday – Saturday:  10 am – 8 pm
Sunday:  12 pm – 8 pm

F Street Community Center – 1225 F St.   402-441-7951

Monday – Friday:  8 am – 8 pm
Saturday:  10 am – 8 pm
Sunday:  1 - 8 pm

Victory Park Senior Center – 600 S. 70th St.  402-441-7070  –  will also extend its weekday hours until 4:30 p.m. during an extreme heat warning.

Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.


How to Keep Cool at Home

  • Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside. 
  • Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in. 
  • Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.) 
  • Try to avoid using the stove or oven to cook – it will make you and your house hotter.
  • Take a cool shower or bath to help cool off.
  • Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine – basements can be 10-15 degrees cooler than upper floors of the house.
  • Use a fan to cool off, only when indoor temperatures are less than 90 degrees. Make sure your ceiling fans are set to go counterclockwise as this will push cool air down.

Electric bills are increasing due to higher rates and increasing temperatures. Here are some no and low-cost energy-saving tips you can do all year round to keep your home cool.

No and Low-Cost Energy Saving Tips

  • Unplug all electronics or use a “smart” power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts “phantom” or “vampire” energy use. These are available at major retailers at $15 or $20 for basic models.
  • Use a fan when in the room to provide greater cooling if indoor temperatures are below 90˚F. Turn off the fan when leaving the area.
  • Close your curtains, shades, and blinds when practical during the day and/or apply a tint to your windows to cool a room during hot daytime hours.
  • Make sure vents are not blocked so that air can flow freely. Blocked air vents make it harder for your HVAC system to run effectively and can lead to higher energy bills.
  • If you have central A/C, check all ducts and seals. Use weather stripping to seal up small cracks around windows and door sweeps – also known as draft blockers – to prevent cold air from escaping.
  • Check and/or replace your air filters every month during the summer (May-October). In the winter, change them every two months.
  • Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
  • Change the way you do laundry. Wash clothes in cold water when possible. As much as 85% of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating water. Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. If you must use a dryer, make sure to remove the lint before every cycle.
  • Install light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. They are more expensive but last longer, use less energy, and do not add heat to your home. This alone can result in up to $75 of savings per lightbulb a year. 

 

Additional Energy-Saving Tips

  • Maximize the efficiency of your HVAC by having a licensed professional inspect it twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall. Install a unit with a 15 SEER or higher, which can reduce your energy use by 20-50%.
  • Conduct a home energy audit with a professional energy auditor who will perform tests highlighting ways to reduce energy use and save money.
  • Switch to EnergyStar-certified energy-efficient appliances (i.e.: refrigerator, clothes washer).
  • Plant native shade trees on the east, west and south sides of your house. Mature shade trees can reduce air conditioning costs by 30%. Shading the outdoor part of the A/C unit can lower cooling costs.
  • Improve insulation in your home: Ceilings, attics, crawl spaces and even walls can all be upgraded with better insulation. Some insulation projects may qualify for LES funds through the Sustainable Energy Program.
  • Install awnings or exterior shades.
  • Make your roof a reflective white. Switching to a white roof can achieve up to 20% energy savings.
  • Install solar panels, if your home is suitable, to save on electricity bills or eliminate them completely. 
  • For more information on how to help make your home more energy-efficient and save energy (and money) go to www.les.com/customers/save-energy

Resources for Financial Incentives and Assistance

 

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