Welcome, Research Participants!
This guide will help you understand and use the CommHEAT app for our research study. Please follow the tutorial steps carefully and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you need help.
App Overview
CommHEAT is designed to help communities stay safe during extreme heat events. The app provides indoor temperature/heat index predictions, connects family/friends/neighbors for mutual support, and helps locate cooling centers when you need them most.
Smart Prediction, Proactive Protection
CommHEAT uses energy modeling to forecast changes in your home’s indoor temperature and heat index over the next 12 hours, helping you prepare in advance and take action before conditions become dangerous.
Stay Connected, Stay Safe
Extreme heat shouldn’t be faced alone. With CommHEAT, you can build your own support network—neighbors, friends, and family members—and check in on one another during dangerous indoor conditions.
When you visit the Community page, you’ll see if anyone in your group is experiencing unsafe temperatures. It’s more than a feature—it’s a safety network designed to protect the people you care about.
Note: Right now, you don’t have any community members in your group. In the email we sent you, there’s a referral link you can share with neighbors, friends, or family. Once they participate and agree to connect with you in the app, they’ll appear on your Community page.
Find Relief Fast
Feeling the heat? Use the Cooling Map to quickly locate nearby cooling centers—including public libraries, shopping malls, and community centers. Tap on any location to open Google Maps for more details and directions. You can also consider cooling off at a friend or family member’s home if they have air conditioning. Don’t forget to check in with others—sometimes staying cool is as simple as being together.
Need Help?
We’re here to support you throughout the research study. If you have any questions or technical issues, feel free to contact us at tyao@iastate.edu.
We can also schedule a Zoom call to assist you directly if needed.