Re: no AC at Element
Even when everything is working properly, voltage always varies a bit as the power company manages demand for electricity. Brownouts, where voltage is dropped below normal levels, happen when demand for electricity exceeds supply (usually when temps climb). The power company has a choice of cutting off parts of their service area (blackout), or reducing voltage to everyone (brownout). They actually do this all the time, but until voltage drops to 104, you may not notice.
Most U.S. appliances that are labelled as 110V or 120V actually work from about 104 - 128 Volts. Voltage above or below these limits may damage the appliance.
109 Volts is fine.