June 17, 2009

Keeping cool when things get hot

By Lisa M. Petsche

When temperatures start pushing those summer highs, you need to do something to stay comfortable. Sure, you can crank up the air conditioning, but there are other less expensive and more environmentally friendly ways to feel better when the heats gets oppressive.

Dressing
• Wear lightweight, loose fitting clothes that allow air to circulate and perspiration to evaporate. Choose light colors.
• Stick to natural fibers like cotton, or microfiber materials. Look for fabrics with an open weave.
• When you’re going to be outside in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen—minimum SPF 15—at least 20 minutes before going outdoors, to prevent sunburn.

Activities
• Avoid or reduce strenuous activity, including exercising, gardening and mowing the lawn.
• If possible, stay indoors during the hottest part of the day.
• If you must be outdoors, try to schedule activities in the early morning or evening. Otherwise, rest often in a shaded area.

Around the house
• Close drapes, curtains and blinds on sunny days.
• Consider awnings, shutters or roll-up porch blinds to provide exterior shading of your house. Also consider growing vines.
• Run an electric fan to circulate air in the room you’re using. While it won’t alter the room temperature, it will evaporate sweat, which will increase your comfort. Place the fan in front of an open window at night, to draw in the cool evening air.
• Install ceiling fans to circulate air in the rooms you use most—these can be quite reasonably priced, and use relatively little energy. (They increase heating efficiency in the winter, too.)
• Stay on the lowest floor of your home.
• Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the basement.
• Hang laundry outside to dry. If you use the dryer, do so during the coolest parts of the day (usually early morning or evening). The same goes for the dishwasher, to minimize the impact of its heat. (Or consider washing dishes by hand during heat waves.)

Cooling your insides
• Have a cool shower or sponge bath.
• If you don’t have easy access to a swimming pool, get one of those inexpensive, inflatable kiddie types for your backyard. Put on your bathing suit, sit or lie in the pool— preferably in the shade—and relax with a good book.
• If you don’t have air conditioning and the heat becomes unbearable, visit a friend or relative who has air conditioning, or go to a cool public place—such as a shopping mall or public library—during the hottest part of the day.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes. For example, don’t have a cold shower right after coming in from outside on a sweltering day.
• Eat foods high in water content—this means lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Cook meals on a grill or use the microwave in place of a regular oven, which introduces more heat into the room.
• Drink plenty of extra fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Sip water or stock up on fruit juice and iced tea. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
• Eat light, more frequent meals to avoid taxing your digestive system. Go easy on protein, and steer clear of foods that are spicy or greasy.

Energy efficiency
• If you have a room air conditioner, try to shade it from the sun so it doesn’t have to work as hard.
• If you have central air, keep your furnace and air conditioning system—which function together—properly maintained to ensure maximum air-cooling and save energy. Be sure to always think energy efficiency:
• Regularly check air filters and replace them as needed.
• Keep the area around your furnace and air conditioning unit free of clutter, plant overgrowth and debris.
• Keep vents free of obstructions to maximize airflow.
• Dust around equipment, and vacuum filters and vents regularly—more often than usual during peak use.
• Have your system regularly inspected by professionals.
• Adjust the controls accordingly to allow for a higher temperature when your home will be empty for several hours or more.
• Turn off the air conditioning and open windows when the outdoor temperature significantly decreases at night, especially if there’s a cool breeze.