How to beat the heat indoors.

• Position: Cooling Systems

For many people, the heat of summer is more than uncomfortable, it is downright dangerous. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga,. reports that excessive heat exposure killed 8.015 people in the U.S. during a recent 10-year span. During that time. more individuals died from extreme heat than from tornadoes, lightning, floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes combined. Extreme heat is an international threat as well, killing over 11,000 people in France in 2003.

As summer moves into the dog days of August, it is wise to drink plenty of water and other nonalcoholic fluids as well as avoid strenuous activity during the peak heat hours of the day. However, the number-one protection against heat-related illness and death is air conditioning.

"If you can't or don't want to air condition the whole house, window or room air conditioners can be a cost-efficient and effective method to beat the heat," suggests John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Northbrook Ill., an independent, not-for-profit testing and certification organization.

When selecting a room air conditioner, bigger is not always better. A unit that is too small will not be able to cool a large room; one that is too large for the room will turn on and off too frequently. A 10' x 12' room will require an air conditioner with a cooling capacity of 5,000 British thermal units (Btu) per hour. A 20' x 20' room will take a 10,000 Btu air conditioner. For a small home of about 1,200 square feet, 23,000 Btus are needed.

Also look for the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) on the yellow Energy Guide label. The EER ranges from eight to 12, with the higher numbers indicating higher efficiency.

Before installing a window unit, be sure the electrical circuit and outlet can handle the load. "Sometimes, window air conditioners are used in older residences and buildings that may not have the wiring capacity necessary to operate these units safely," Drengenberg cautions...