Summer is a good time to find your creative side. Learning new tricks to cut down on household and personal misery can go a long way for comfort, and they will save money. Also, there is always the possibility of having no AC. Here are four interesting tips on how to stay cooler and survive a brutal summer.
Make a Cheap AC If the Central Air Malfunctions
Central air in the summer is pricey, and it can also break, which seems to happen at the hottest times. Luckily, while waiting on a HVAC professional such as those at Pacific Aire, Inc. to come fix the AC, you can make your cooling system with a few cheap materials. You can do this by finding a large Styrofoam container, placing a fan on top of it instead of the lid and set on high. By ventilating the container with holes on the side, the fan will blow the cold ice air out through the holes into the area. It may not be pretty, but it does work until the repairman comes.
Use the Egyptian Method of Staying Cool When Sleeping
It is hard to fall asleep during a hot night, but there are some ways to beat the heat at night. Using a wet sheet to cool from underneath, also known as the “Egyptian method”, is easy and effective. Just get a large beach towel or a sheet really wet in cold water, and remove as much excess water as possible through wringing or your washing machine’s spin cycle. Lay on one and make another for a cool blanket.
Properly Position Fans for Maximum Effectiveness
There are ways to run and position fans to get the most out of them during summer. At night, face the fan towards the outside to remove the warm air from inside the room. Also, make sure ceiling fans are set to run counter-clockwise, which is the summer setting for maximum use. Finally, there are temp controllers available for fans to turn them on or off like AC units based off the temperature. It helps control the heat and saves energy.
Do Not Use Heat to Eat
There are days when it is too hot to add to the problem by turning on a stove or an oven. There are plenty of electrical appliances to cook food with, chilled soups keep the body temperature down and learn some raw food recipes. Culinary creativity can go a long way during a heat advisory.
These tips are a combination of interesting, scientific and practical. They can all be used at the same time too. Just remember, really hot days can also be dangerous, so stay prepared and well hydrated while fighting excessive temperatures.
