Rest assured, this summer is going to be a hot one. Whether you live in an area that gets a deluge of heat waves or stays relatively mild, staying cool seems to be a universal activity during the summer months. Turning on your air conditioning is obviously one of the easiest ways you can beat the heat this summer, but believe it or not, there are some lesser-known ways you can stay cool, too!
Staying Cool Inside
It almost goes without saying, but one of the most commonsensical things you can do to stay cool inside is close your blinds and curtains when the sun hits your building in the morning (or at any other time, for that matter). This small act can help keep cool air in. Also, make sure you’re also drinking plenty of water, because staying hydrated provides a cooling sense and allows your body to sweat more liberally. Additionally, try some lemon juice or another tart juice for immediate refreshment. With this, it’s also good to keep in mind that the general suggested serving is eight ounces of water every hour for maximum hydration. Another thing you can do to help keep your living quarters cool is keeping a fan in the room to help circulate the air, easily making you feel cooler.
Staying Cool Outside
If you’re trying to keep cool outside, again it’s imperative that you remain hydrated and, preferably, shaded. Make sure you’re always dressing appropriately for the weather; try colored, loose fitting clothes in order to increase air circulation and reduce the amount of heat attracted to your body. This works because light colors don’t absorb as much light and heat as darker colors (true to point: Ever step on a dark surface in your bare feet during the summer?). Another thing you can do when you’re out on those hot summer days is slather on some peppermint lotion, shower with peppermint soap and use a minty foot soak. Simply put, mint helps your skin feel cooler. Pools, lakes, and rivers are also great ways to cool down. Don’t forget the float trips!
Keeping Your House Cooler
There are also some tricks for keeping your house cooler during the summer months. Besides drawing your curtains (which I elaborated on above), installing a reflective film on older windows will help cut down on the heat penetrating your glass and heating up your home. This will also help prevent wear and tear on your air conditioning unit as well. On cooler days, you can also open up the windows to get a good breeze; doing this at night is also beneficial after the air has cooled down a bit from the afternoon. That way you can let the cool breeze blow in throughout the night. The trick to this is leaving your interior doors open, including closet and cabinet doors. Closets and cabinets store daytime heat, which is something that’s often overlooked when one thinks about cooling down their house
The Importance of Insulation & Rooting
Another important thing to consider is that your home is properly insulated. In particular, reflective bubble insulation helps tremendously and can be installed right inside your windows. You might want to look into that if your insulation isn’t doing the trick.
Are you planning on putting in a new roof? Choose a lighter color that will reflect the heat and light instead of absorbing it. New double-pane low E windows with tinted glass also help reflect the heat.
These are just a few tips and tricks that can help you keep cool this summer! Good luck and good riddance (to the heat)!
Written by the staff of Controlled Aire Heating and Cooling in Moberly, MO. Controlled Aire is the number one company when it comes to heating and cooling Moberly MO has to offer.