The arrival of warm summer weather is usually cause for celebration, but in some cases there can be too much of a good thing. When temperatures soar, staying inside can help you keep cool, but in an uncomfortably warm house, it may feel like there’s no escape from the heat.
Preparing your home in anticipation of weather extremes is key, but if your household is unused to high temperatures, it may prove more challenging. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to keep your home (and those living in it) safe and cool in the midst of a heatwave, some of which could even save you some money on your electricity bill.
Check That Your AC Is Working
Some areas of the US are less reliant on air conditioning to keep their homes cool in summer, while those in warmer climates like the South and Midwest tend to use it more often. If you have a HVAC unit that has not been used for some time, searching for “AC repair service near me” should provide you with a list of HVAC technicians who will be able to help.
When hiring any professional to carry out electrical work, it’s important they do so safely. To ensure that your HVAC repair person is fully trained, you can ask for certifications such as NATE (North American Technician Alliance or an EPA 608 certificate for handling refrigerants. You can also check if they have the necessary state or local license to carry out HVAC work in your area.
Makeshift Air Conditioner
If you don’t have an air conditioning unit but need something to help cool you down in a pinch, you can try creating your own makeshift unit. Pour water into three bottles (recyclable plastic ones are ideal), before adding a few tablespoons of salt (this lowers the water temperature) and placing them into your freezer.
Once frozen solid, place them in front of a fan (not too closely, as this can block airflow), and make sure they are spread out evenly and securely positioned so they do not fall. As an alternative, you can use ice-packs, though it may be best to avoid using ice cubes in case of spills, since water mixing with electricity can result in short-circuits, electrocutions and potentially electrical fires.
Close the Blinds
A large amount of heat can enter the home via windows, turning otherwise cool homes into greenhouses. This is great news for your plants, but for humans (and pets), the magnified heat can make for a sticky, uncomfortable situation. Instead, shade yourself from the glare by closing the curtains, turning down the blinds and creating a cool, shady environment.
An even better option is to invest in neutral-toned blackout curtains (the type with white plastic backing) to effectively block the sunlight from coming in and turn down the heat in your home. These also add insulation, which may sound counterintuitive, but can help reduce the amount of heat being transferred indoors.
Ventilate Your Home
Opening the front and back windows to your home allows the air to travel through the building, effectively letting your home “breathe”. It can also help to be selective about the rooms you use, as well: for rooms that are unoccupied, closing them off can help redirect the cooler air to the parts of the house you and your family are currently using.
If you live in an area where temperatures drop at night, opening the windows just before bed can help you to make the most of those cool night breezes, although be sure to shut them again before things start to heat up the following day.
Make Your Bedroom a “Chill” Zone
While the advice of sleep experts is to keep bedrooms cool and dark, this isn’t always easy, especially at the height of summer. A few adjustments here and there can turn your balmy bedroom into a cool, sleepy sanctuary. Start by changing your sheets: while materials like brushed flannel make sense in winter, materials like cotton or bamboo (as well as breathable buckwheat pillows) make for a better night’s rest.
It might be tempting to forgo pajamas altogether, but sleeping in sweat-wicking natural fibers like cool cotton or linen is actually more effective at keeping the body cool. As a bonus, you can also place frozen hot water bottles in bed with you; just make sure they are properly fastened so they don’t leak onto your sheets. Remember that heat rises, so if things get too warm in your room, retreating to a downstairs couch, the basement, or even the floor may help you sleep more peacefully.
