Hacks for Beating Summer Heat

Hot summer weather can keep you from enjoying a day outdoors, make your home feel stuffy and miserable, and send your utility bills skyrocketing. If your home is too hot for you to sleep well, you’ll also have to spend your work day fighting fatigue. High temperatures can even cause heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Here are some simple hacks that can help you keep cool all summer long.

Wear Lightweight Clothing and Layers

If you’re feeling hot at home, you can save money and energy by using your freezer as well as your air conditioner. Wrap a few ice cubes in a washcloth or put them in a hot water bottle for a quick ice pack. You can also fill a sock with rice and freeze it. The rice will stay cooler longer than ice because it’s denser. To cool down fast, use ice packs on pulse points like your neck, your wrists, and the backs of your knees. At work, you can use a cold drink instead.

For better sleep, fold your bed sheet and put it in a plastic bag inside the freezer a few hours before you go to bed. Take the sheet out of the freezer right before you go to bed for cool, comfortable sleep.

Keep Your Air Conditioner in Peak Condition

Your HVAC system could be struggling to keep your home cool and wasting energy. Has it serviced by a professional once per year, repair any problems promptly, and install a more efficient model if it’s more than about 10 years old.

Protect Your Vehicle’s Interior

The sun can make your car’s interior hotter in summer. Fortunately, you can avoid feeling like you’re stuck in an oven every time you get into your vehicle. Park in the shade whenever you can, and use a window cover to block the sun when you park. You can also use a few pieces of cardboard or get tinted windows.

With these smart tricks, you can stay cool without spending all your cash on air conditioning. Whether you’re at the park with your kids, at home, at work, or in your car, you can stay comfortable and avoid problems like heat stroke.