7 Strategies for Beating the Heat This Summer
High temperatures are breaking records. Here are ways you can cope
In addition to the amazingly heroic Thailand cave divers and the World Cup, one of the biggest stories of the summer has been the heat. Spots all over North America that aren’t used to scorching temperatures have experienced heat waves that are not only uncomfortable but deadly. Here are seven ways to cool down when a heat wave hits.
Invest in a water filter like a Brita or a water cooler, or keep a pitcher of water filled with your citrus or cuke slices in the fridge. Foods like watermelon, tomatoes and celery are also hydrating. Keep a container of watermelon chunks handy so you can snack on them. And stock up on some popsicles for the freezer.
2. Control the Sunlight Indoors
I remember my grandmother going around the house and rolling down shades in the afternoon to prevent the sun from heating up the house. As the afternoon rays start to beat on certain rooms, close the drapes or shades on those windows.
I remember my grandmother going around the house and rolling down shades in the afternoon to prevent the sun from heating up the house. As the afternoon rays start to beat on certain rooms, close the drapes or shades on those windows.
You also can block sunlight from the exterior. One way is by adding awnings. Install them over windows to control the sunlight that gets into the house throughout the day. Or, as you see in this photo, you can use a larger awning to cover a patio or deck.
Sunshades and overhangs. This house has Douglas fir sunshades that block direct light from coming in during the summer but allow for solar heat gain during the winter.
3. Make the Most of Breezes
Open up your windows. Before climate control was a possibility, homes were designed to deal with the heat. Window and door placement was strategic and made the most of cross breezes.
Adding screens and screen doors where you don’t already have them will let air circulate and help you cool down your house. Pay attention to the hot microclimates around the house and close windows that let the hot air in. (These will be the south-facing windows and doors and, depending on the time of day, the east- and west-facing windows.)
Open up your windows. Before climate control was a possibility, homes were designed to deal with the heat. Window and door placement was strategic and made the most of cross breezes.
Adding screens and screen doors where you don’t already have them will let air circulate and help you cool down your house. Pay attention to the hot microclimates around the house and close windows that let the hot air in. (These will be the south-facing windows and doors and, depending on the time of day, the east- and west-facing windows.)
Keep those fans on high. Ceiling fans get a bad rap. I blame the old show Trading Spaces, where the designers would immediately recoil at and remove them. In their defense, ceiling fans were ugly then, but that’s no longer true. Make sure your fan is going in the right direction for summer, which is counterclockwise. If you don’t want to go to the expense of hiring an electrician to hard-wire a fan for you, inexpensive box fans placed in the windows will also cool things down.
Check out modern ceiling fans
Check out modern ceiling fans
4. Find or Make the Shade
The blistering sun is something best avoided during these heat waves, but it does get depressing to stay indoors for long spells. When venturing outside, find cool shaded areas.
Trees. Find an area shaded by trees in your neighborhood. And if the sun is baking your house, make a plan for planting some shade trees in the fall. They’ll help you in the years to come.
The blistering sun is something best avoided during these heat waves, but it does get depressing to stay indoors for long spells. When venturing outside, find cool shaded areas.
Trees. Find an area shaded by trees in your neighborhood. And if the sun is baking your house, make a plan for planting some shade trees in the fall. They’ll help you in the years to come.
Patio umbrellas. A simple patio umbrella can create a shady oasis on your deck or patio.
Shade sails. Shade sails are a good option for adding cooler areas to your outdoor space. They come in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes.
Roller shades. Even on covered and screened-in porches, the sun will find its way in via certain angles. Thoughtfully placed matchstick blinds and other roller shades keep the sun from heating up these spaces too much.
Find roller blinds
Find roller blinds
5. Invest in a Mister
Once seen mainly on restaurant patios in warm locales, misters are now reasonably enough priced for us homeowners. And I think this is the prettiest photo of mist in action we have on Houzz.
Once seen mainly on restaurant patios in warm locales, misters are now reasonably enough priced for us homeowners. And I think this is the prettiest photo of mist in action we have on Houzz.
OK, beautiful Zen garden aside, this is what some of the mister options you can buy look like today — the fans on the posts have misters built into them.
6. Take a Plunge
Yes, a dip in a pool, a cold jacuzzi, a lake or the ocean is a marvelous way to cool down. If you don’t have that option, you can hit a splash pad in a city park, run through a sprinkler, set up a big wading pool or take cool showers throughout the day to keep your body temperature down.
Yes, a dip in a pool, a cold jacuzzi, a lake or the ocean is a marvelous way to cool down. If you don’t have that option, you can hit a splash pad in a city park, run through a sprinkler, set up a big wading pool or take cool showers throughout the day to keep your body temperature down.
7. Moisten Paper Towels
A friend of mine taught me this trick that her grandmother in Charleston, South Carolina, taught her. It helped her get through many long, hot services in un-air-conditioned churches while roasting in a dress and pantyhose. When you’re out and about in the heat, take some paper towels and a bottle of water (cold, if possible — you can add ice cubes) and when you need to cool down, wet a paper towel and place it on the back of your neck. If you’re without a water bottle, you can usually get the supplies for wet paper towels in a public restroom.
If you’re experiencing stifling temperatures, be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness and seek treatment immediately. OSHA recommends calling 911 if you are experiencing symptoms of heatstroke: confusion; fainting; seizures; excessive sweating; red, hot, dry skin; and very high body temperatures. OSHA lists symptoms of heat exhaustion as cool, moist skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; light-headedness; weakness; thirst; irritability; and fast heartbeat, and it recommends hydrating, cooling down with ice packs and then calling for medical help if symptoms don’t improve within an hour.
A friend of mine taught me this trick that her grandmother in Charleston, South Carolina, taught her. It helped her get through many long, hot services in un-air-conditioned churches while roasting in a dress and pantyhose. When you’re out and about in the heat, take some paper towels and a bottle of water (cold, if possible — you can add ice cubes) and when you need to cool down, wet a paper towel and place it on the back of your neck. If you’re without a water bottle, you can usually get the supplies for wet paper towels in a public restroom.
If you’re experiencing stifling temperatures, be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness and seek treatment immediately. OSHA recommends calling 911 if you are experiencing symptoms of heatstroke: confusion; fainting; seizures; excessive sweating; red, hot, dry skin; and very high body temperatures. OSHA lists symptoms of heat exhaustion as cool, moist skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; light-headedness; weakness; thirst; irritability; and fast heartbeat, and it recommends hydrating, cooling down with ice packs and then calling for medical help if symptoms don’t improve within an hour.
Share: What are some of your best tips for keeping cool during a heat wave? Please share with us in the Comments.
More
How to Cool Down a Room
Time-Tested, Low-Tech Ways to Cool a Home
Browse air conditioners
More
How to Cool Down a Room
Time-Tested, Low-Tech Ways to Cool a Home
Browse air conditioners
First, it’s very important to keep hydrated in hot temperatures. If drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day is a struggle for you, try adding cucumbers, lemons or limes to make it more flavorful and appealing — because you’ll want to exceed the eight-glass recommendation on hot days. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and other dehydrating beverages when you’re trying to stay hydrated.