When temperatures climb, many homeowners start to get their air conditioners in working order to prepare for the heat. Fighting back against the warm embrace of sunlight trickling through the window blinds with a refreshing blast of air is a feeling many cannot go without, especially in the middle of a notoriously sweltering Texas summer.
The modern comfort of an AC might be a welcome treat for many, but how do people without air conditioning get through those blazingly hot days?
While opening windows at night to cool down is arguably the most common way to beat the heat, there are many more interesting ways for people to keep their cool as the mercury goes up. While some of you may be asking how to make an air conditioner colder, we understand that summer air conditioning can be costly. Check out our hot weather tips below to cut down on your home energy use and stay comfortable in your home.
Use Egyptian Ingenuity
Egypt is an area notorious for its heat. Egyptians deal with blazing temperatures daily throughout most of the year, so it’s no surprise that we can turn to this country for effective cooling techniques. Egyptians devised a simple method of keeping their temperature in check using wet sheets.
Simply dousing a bed sheet with water, wringing it to remove the excess moisture results and placing it in a doorway, open window or breezeway is a perfect solution to even the warmest nights. The water slowly evaporates as the evening goes by, which provides you with cool comfort to fall fast asleep.
Try Freezing Clothes
A wet sheet might not work for some people. Thankfully, there is another solution. Putting a bed sheet or any cloth item such as a T-shirts into a bag and placing that bag in the freezer for an hour will solidify the moisture contained in the cloth. The ice stays at a cooler temperature for longer, providing non-stop heat protection.
A bag of ice will keep out the moisture but still give you the same chilling effect. It will last a shorter time, but it might be good for those days around the house when the heat just won’t stop.
Place A Wet Bandana Around Your Neck
Another way to lower your body temperature is to place a damp bandana on any of the body’s pulse points such as the neck, forehead or wrists.
Pulse points are centers for temperature control, so focusing cold materials on them will naturally lead to a cooler feeling.
If a bandana is not available, a splash of water on your hat provides the same effect. A wet hat offers you a cool way to get some shade and enjoy a nice trip outside while keeping your head from overheating.
Chew Mint Gum And Drink Water
Mint is the very definition of freshness. When the temperatures go up and your throat begs for some refreshment, chew some mint gum and pair it with some cool water. The result: a minty blast coupled with the sensation of cold water that will freshen you down to the core.
Take A Minty Shower
Mint isn’t only for eating and as a garnish. It can be useful to make a refreshing drink that will cool you as you sip. Mint grooming products are also available for those who want to cool down in the shower just before bed. Shampoos and body wash provide a chilling effect that will have you comfortable just in time for you to drift to sleep.
Eat Spicy Food
Spicy food is a common dish in many arid locations, and for good reason. Eating food with added spices makes the body sweat in response, initiating the body’s natural cooling process in which sweat wicks extra heat from your skin. Although this sounds counter-intuitive, it works—try it!
Hang Free In The Wind
Hammocks are found everywhere in warmer areas. They provide a constant circulation of air around you as you swing to your heart’s content in the breeze. Having one in a shady part of your backyard will give you a refreshing way to enjoy the summer breeze in comfort.
Sleep On Bamboo Mats
Hammocks aren’t ideal for everyone. There is a way to stay cool that’s a bit closer to the ground. Laying a bamboo mat on the floor creates a usable surface that won’t retain heat. Having been used for decades in the Far East, these sleeping mats can provide those of us in the South with the same cooling properties individuals in these countries have enjoyed for generations.
It might be a tad uncomfortable for those who enjoy from the plushness of their mattress, but a bamboo mat for sleeping is better for staying refreshed during the night.
Sleep As Low As You Can Go
Heat tends to rise, so staying as close to the ground is a great way of avoiding warm air. Homeowners who have basements are in luck since these areas tend to be the coolest part of the house. These spaces are usually out of the way from the sun and provide cool air during the day.
If the nights are just too warm and your bedroom is on the highest level of your home, you could also pull a spare mattress down during the heat wave and enjoy the night instead of tossing and turning in the hot weather.
Play With Water
Kids will be kids, and with school out during the summer, many will be wanting to enjoy some time out in the sun. To keep your toddlers refreshed and entertained, some fun activities involving water can help out, including “painting” the fence with some water.
Although at first this might sound like a chore, when it’s coupled with some water buckets and paintbrushes, your kids can have a fun time without the dreaded paint mess. Water can also be used to draw fun drawings on the sidewalk without the cleanup.
Trim Your Pet’s Hair
Your furry friends are a big part of your family, and they deserve the same treatment as anyone else in your home. Keeping their fur trimmed can help protect them from the heat. You’ll also want to make sure they have plenty of water at all times and that you walk them on hot pavement early in the morning or after the sun goes down.
Go All The Cool Places
When you’re out and about, the last thing you want to feel is the sun slowly burning your skin. Thankfully, there are many places to spend time that are nice and cool.
Libraries feature an endless supply of books to enjoy, along with some nice chilled air. Movie theaters can also have the same chilling effect and can take you away to cooler climates with stunning scenery. An extended stay in the refrigerated section of your grocery store can feel better during the warmer months than in other times of year.
Heat waves will be the least of your worries as you run your daily errands in the air conditioning!
Opt For Leaner Foods
Our bodies are hard at work using energy all the time. We even use energy to digest. Digesting vegetables is easier than digesting heavy starches and meats, because it takes less effort to break down the nutrients in your food. The body uses the calories it extracts from food to fuel the nutrient absorption processes necessary for survival. Each calorie is actually a kilocalorie, which equates to the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Centigrade. The more your body has to use calories to absorb nutrients, the hotter it gets. Stay cool by eating foods that provide rich nutrients your body can easily access.
Freeze Your Fruit
Fruit is mostly made up of water, so freezing some of your favorite types can provide a simple, healthy snack that will keep you cool. Strawberries, blueberries, grapes and even oranges can taste better after some time in the freezer. Try this tip when the ice cream cravings are strong, but you want to keep your beach body ready.
Sip Iced Coffee
A steaming cup of delicious coffee might be routine, but when your coffee is the same temperature as the weather outside it might be wise to skip the cup and try an alternative.
Iced coffee to the resue! Whether it’s a coffee pop or some caffeine-infused ice cubes slipped into some milk in the morning, both are reliable options to keep your body awake during the day while starting off with a refreshing twist.
Use Lighter Fabrics
Lighter materials dissipate heat much easier than flannels and other heavy fabrics. As the winter months move in, trade in your heavy fabric for some cotton sheets that allow the air to flow. Likewise, a pillow with a breathable material such as buckwheat is perfect for those nights where the cold side of the pillow isn’t enough to lull you back to sleep.
Make A Rice Chiller
Rice is good for retaining heat or coolness, so why not harness that power for comfort? Adding rice to a sock and placing it in the freezer will give you a small but effective way to shake off heat during the day. The coolness lasts for around 30 minutes, which should be enough for those trying to drift off to sleep.
Ice Your Scalp
Long hair during the summer can be a magnet for heat. Slip ice cubes into your braided hair to keep your head cold and moist. The ice in the braids allows the ice to melt slowly and cool down your scalp while providing natural protection from the burn of ice directly on the skin.
Use Your Fridge
Nothing beats the sensation of lotion or aloe vera, but summer can warm up that trusty bottle of lotion you have on your nightstand. Placing either of these items in the refrigerator gives you a quick cooling sensation as you apply it. While the feeling won’t last as long as a dunk in the pool, it should get you a nice break from the heat.
Do Nothing
It’s true! Not using our energy allows our body to cool down. In a similar manner, not using appliances can prevent the hot motors from heating up the room while also avoiding any additional humidity from emerging. Electronics are also to blame. Cell phones notably warm up as they charge and TVs give off a slight warmth throughout the day. You’ll be saving up money while also keeping cool if you keep electronics unplugged and literally chill out.
Replace Your Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs might be the norm in new apartments or houses, but they emit lots of heat. Switching over to fluorescent light bulbs provides the same amount of light without the heat.
Use A DIY Mister
Sometimes a simple, refreshing blast of chilled air can work wonders. A spritzer provides you with a fine mist that is just enough to cool you off without having to worry about keeping a towel nearby. For added relief, keep your water bottle in the fridge when not in use.
ABC Can Keep You Comfortable All Year Long
If the sun is taking its toll on your comfort and causing your electric bill to skyrocket, give some of our alternative cooling tips a shot. While these ideas will take your temperatures down a few notches, the best advice is to enlist an air conditioning professional to keep your system working as it should. ABC Home & Commercial Services can help you with any needed repairs, maintenance and suggest energy improvements to save money on bills and prevent costly fixes later on. If an ailing unit is eating into your summer vacation budget, we can also help you weigh the pros of keeping up your aging unit with the savings of investing in a newer, more efficient system.
