A heat advisory was issued Thurday as temperatures reached into the 100s for the second week in a row across Central Texas.

Austin area hospitals are prepared for an increase in heat-related cases, but so far there's good news to report.

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While there's a slight uptick in heat-related emergency room cases, for the most part doctors say people are getting the message to stay cool. 

You don't have to tell roofers with the Kenny Thames company that it's oppressively hot outside.

"I have measured it, but it feels like 120," said Christopher Goree, who adds the roofing business doesn't always allow for a break during a heat wave.

"It depends on how quickly the client needs this job done, and if he needs it done quickly then we'll suffer through the noon to five hottest hours of the day to get it done," Goree said.

So they make sure to take frequent water breaks.

Ten thousand water bottles left the Austin Convention Center about noon on Thursday.  The joint effort by the city and Mobile Loaves and Fishes will provide essential water for the homeless.

"Everybody is reminded when it gets cold that the homeless need special care and shelter, and the flip side of that is what are our plans for severe heat," said Austin City Councilmember Laura Morrison.

"Lets face it -- this is the elixir of life. We decided the most important thing we could do is to make sure that everybody who doesn't have the capability can stay hydrated in weather like this," said Bob Ford, Mobile Loaves and Fishes.

At the emergency room at St. David's, Dr. Steve Berkowitz says despite the intense heat and humidity, for the most part, there's only been a slight rise in heat-related cases.

"We're surprised, but again I think it's to the credit for people really trying to take care of themselves," Dr. Berkowitz said.

Berkowitz says it's not necessary to take pre-emptive action when it comes to staying hydrated. He says if you know you're going to be out in the heat, you don't have to drink a lot of water before going out -- he says drink some, and then drink more as your body needs it.

For more tips on staying cool, click here.

Austin Energy set a record with 2,518 megawatts of power between the hours of 4 and 5 Wednesday afternoon. Usually those records come later in the summer.

Pedernales Electric Cooperative also set a record Wednesday, with 1.090 megawatts of power consumed at 6 p.m.

ERCOT, which manages the statewide power grid, does not expect a problem providing energy, and neither does Austin Energy. Ed Clark, with Austin Energy, says the utility company has plenty of power in Austin to take care of customers' needs.

"We have 2700 megawatts of firm generation that is there," said Clark. "We have another 437 megawatts of wind turbans under contract. We are in good shape, and the State of Texas is in good shape."

Clark advises there are some things you can do to reduce your costs.

"Turn off all the lights, close the blinds on any window hit by direct sunlight, use the microwave instead of the stove and dry clothes in the evening or early morning instead of the afternoon," he said.

One more cost savings measure -- you can save around 10 percent a year on your energy bill by simply turning your thermostat up while you're at work.

Click here for more energy saving tips

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