How To Beat The Heat
Boy, it’s been hot! I love summer, but sometimes I can’t take the temperatures. If you’re like me and you’ve been feeling the heat, you might wanna try out some of these tricks I’ve found to help keep your house cool this summer.
Use Your Oven Less—I know this may be heartbreaking to anyone who loves to bake or cook using their oven, but many people don’t realize using the oven increases the temperature in their house by up to 3 degrees! Try making cold meals instead, like salads and sandwiches, to reduce your hot-appliance usage.
Run A Dehumidifier—Unless the air in your house is super dry, you might want to consider using a dehumidifier in the summer. Humidity in the air can make any room feel hotter than it is.
Keep Windows Closed—I love a cool breeze coming through my windows. But when the AC is on, it’s better to keep windows closed. As a good rule of thumb, when it’s hotter outside than inside, I have my windows closed and my AC on. And when it’s hotter inside than it is outside, I have my windows open and my AC off.
Use Blackout Curtains—Sunlight streaming into your house may add light, but it also adds a lot of heat. Blackout curtains are a great way to keep the warmth out and the cold in. If you like the natural light, only close the curtains on windows where the sun is beating directly in, like on east windows in the morning while the sun is rising.
Have Fans Rotate Counter-Clockwise—Ceiling fans are a great addition to any room—just make sure they’re rotating counter-clockwise to pull the hot air up and away from you. If they’re turning clockwise, they’re pushing the hot air back down towards the room.
Close Doors—Shut doors to any rooms or areas your family doesn’t use often to keep the cool air where you need it most. Consider sealing up any large gaps where cool air could escape, like under the door or out of the windows.
Stay Hydrated—It might sound crazy, but one of the best ways to stay cool this summer is to make sure you and your family are properly hydrated. Try drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning and one before each meal, you’ll be amazed how proper hydration helps regulate your body temperature.
I hope these ideas help keep you and your home cool this summer. But don’t forget my most important tip, be sure to keep your freezer stocked with sweet treats like popsicles and ice cream bars! It’s my favorite way to let off some steam.
