AC repair crews feeling the heat while on the job

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - It's bad enough if one has to spend any time outside in this excessive heat, but imagine if one had to fix air conditioners.

Temperatures on the roofs of some homes are pretty much unbearable, and some say it's even hotter than the literal temperature for them when working outdoors.

"It feels hot! It's hot!" said one person.

"I can definitely get sunburned in less than 10 minutes out in this," said another person.

They're probably not as hot, however, as Mark Stevens was. He working outside in Glendale on Thursday, dealing with the sweltering attics and the hot metal casing of the AC units.

"We crawl down and take breaks, and lay on something cool, whatever you can do to get out of the heat," said Stevens.

On the roof, Stevens said he has to wear his gloves.

"We do have hats, we provide lots of water for them, water coolers," said Stevens.

It's far from easy, but he makes it work, and the installation takes a while.

"For an attic install, it's about six hours," said Stevems. "Six to 10."

All he asks from homeowners is patience.

"Let them take their time, that way they can do a good job," said Stevens. "Don't try to speed them along. It's probably not going to end well."

To keep electricity bills down, experts with Forrest Anderson Plumbing and Air Conditioning suggest replacing air filters once a month, making sure the thermostat is not in the sun or near any lamps or anything else that could heat it, remove debris around AC units, and use ceiling fans to circulate the cool air.