Lifestyle

5 Simple Hacks To Beat The Heat

Whether you have air conditioning or not, there are many ways to cool of your home during intense heat—and they will save you energy costs as well. – It’s not uncommon to hear people joke about the heat during the summer months. Sometimes the weather gets to be sweltering and there might seem like there’s nothing to be done about it except laugh. The reality is that extreme heat is no laughing matter. Heat is the deadliest weather event by far in the U.S.

With the hot months becoming even hotter (temperature records across the world are being broken every year), it has become even more important to figure out ways to stay cool.

Fortunately, there are some simple hacks that you can take around the house, and even when you’re out and about, that will help you beat the heat.

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Heatwave Hacks At Home

Many people in the United States have air conditioning units to help keep their homes nice and cool. But this isn’t always the case, and even for those lucky folks who might have access to a constant flow of cold air, energy costs are skyrocketing right along with the temperatures, forcing many to turn that air conditioner off in exchange for a boost in their budget.

As for the rest of the world, the number of households with access to air conditioning doesn’t even register compared to the nearly 90% of American households that pump in that sweet, cold air.

Regardless of if your home has air conditioning or not, there are lots of tips and tricks that you can use to help keep things cooler, even during the hottest summer months. A few easy changes can make a huge difference and help to keep you cool both indoors and outdoors!

Fans Are Your Friend

The power of a nice, cool breeze shouldn’t be underestimated. And the great thing about fans is that they’re portable, come in all shapes and sizes, and can be strategically placed for the best results.

Box Fans

Placing a box fan in a window will help to cool a room down quickly. During the daytime hours when it’s the hottest outside, face the box fan so that it pulls the hot air from the room and blows it out the window. When the temperature outside is cooler, you can flip the fan so that it pulls air from outside and blows it into the room.

Another great tactic is two use two box fans placed in windows that face each other. This helps to create a cross breeze that will circulate the air and cool the room quickly.

Ceiling Fans

One of the most effective ways to cool a room quickly is with a ceiling fan. Most ceiling fans come with a reversible setting, so make sure that your fan is turning counterclockwise in the summer to create a downdraft.

Tower Fans, Pedestal Fans, And More

There are so many types of fans available for purchase in today’s market that there should be one to suit every need. Tower fans are powerful and cost-efficient but even a simple rotating pedestal fan can make a world of difference in the temperature of a room.

Whole House Fans

Whole house fans are installed in the ceiling of your home and work to pull cool air from open windows while pushing hot air out from the attic. A whole house fan can cool your home at a fraction of the cost that a central air system would cost, and as a bonus helps to purify the air too!

Change Up The Bedding

Being even a few degrees too warm when you’re trying to fall asleep can make for a long and miserable night. One way to cool down the bedroom so you can sleep easier is to replace the sheets and bedding with lighter, breathable fabrics.

Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, bamboo, and even satin and silk can help keep your temperature from rising while you snooze. Heavy, dark-colored fabrics, especially synthetic ones, tend to absorb and hold heat. Instead, opt for lighter colors instead of darks to get an extra boost.

Don’t limit your redecorating to the bedroom either. Switching up pillow covers and that throw blanket on your sofa to lighter, breathable fabrics can help cool down living areas.

Add Some Curtains

As tempting as it can be to throw open the shades and let all of that beautiful summer sunshine in, doing so won’t help keep your house cool. Instead, your best bet is to invest in some quality blackout or thermal curtains.

Blackout curtains are designed to completely block out the light, keeping a room darker and cooler in the process. And they can help keep the temperature in your home lower during those hot summer months.

Thermal curtains go a step further by adding layers of insulation that can help reflect both the light and heat from the sun, working to keep your home cooler in the summer (and warmer in the winter).

A Few Heatwave Hacks Outside Of The Home

Cooling off the house is important and can make time spent indoors much more comfortable. But who wants to spend their entire summer indoors? There’s going to come a time when you venture out into the heat to enjoy that summer sun.

For people who don’t have air conditioning at home it might be cooler outside than it is indoors, especially on hot and humid days.

Stay Hydrated

One of the best ways to protect against the heat is to simply stay hydrated. When the body becomes dehydrated for any reason it can limit the body’s natural temperature regulation system. Drink lots of water and eat fruits and vegetables which contain water, like cucumbers and melons.

Dress For The Weather

Another obvious tip for beating the heat is to make sure you’re dressed for the occasion. Wear light-colored fabrics that allow airflow and avoid tight or form-fitting clothing that can trap heat against the body.

Conclusion

While summertime is usually filled with fun and sun, for those without access to air conditioning or simply struggling to endure sky-high temperatures, hot days can be hard to handle. That’s why it’s so important to think ahead, plan appropriately, and take advantage of all the tips, tricks, and hacks available to keep cool.