Summer is a wonderful time but one of the unfortunate side effects is the extreme heat – which can be dangerous to young children, the elderly, and pets. During heat warnings, it’s important to stay indoors out of the heat and to check in on the elderly in your neighbourhood who may be on their own.
But what do you do if it’s hot inside your home too? The good news is that even without central air conditioning there are highly effective ways to keep your home cool during the hotter months. Here are a few tips to help you stay cool this summer:
Keep Your Body Cool
The best thing you can do if you are still feeling overheated is to take care of yourself. Wear light, loose clothing to give your body room to breathe and make sure you hydrate frequently. Remember to use sun protection when you’re outdoors to avoid getting a sunburn. If you’re feeling flushed, sit in front of a fan to cool off. While it’s always important to drink several glasses of water a day, it’s more important than ever to stay hydrated when there’s a heat warning.
Avoid Using Hot Appliances
Your oven and stove can add a lot of heat to your home. Consider using a grill outdoors or making meals that do not require heat on hot days. Also, hang clothes out on the line to dry instead of generating heat by using your dryer. Furthermore, limit the use of your dishwasher until the evening when temperatures cool off. The last thing you need is to generate extra heat in your home.
Use Blinds
Don’t underestimate the power of the sun. The UV rays in sunlight entering through your windows is what causes rooms to heat up in your home. Use proper blinds during the day to keep the sunlight out. Explore your options, there are new blinds designed to help keep homes cool when central air conditioning is not available.
Open Windows at Night
When temperatures begin to cool at night, open your second story windows to let cool air flow in. If you live in a quiet neighbourhood, leave your windows open all night to let the house cool off – this ensures you have a comfortable sleep. Just don’t forget to shut the windows again in the morning when temperatures are expected to rise.
New Windows
Old and outdated windows can be one of the main reasons your house is too hot in the summer. Condensation, drafts, excess noise and increasing utility bills are all signs that it may be time for new windows. By replacing your old windows, you can enjoy new designs and product innovations that will keep you cool this summer. Furthermore, it also keeps you comfortable in the winter when you may struggle to stay warm on cold days.
