When the summer heat hits, air conditioning is often the go-to remedy. But as the temperature climbs higher, so do those energy bills. Thankfully, there are eco-friendly ways to stay cool and cut back on energy costs. Not only are there low-cost methods to keep yourself from overheating, there are easy and cost-effective tricks to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Check out a few of our favorite ways to beat the heat!
Drink enough water
You’ve probably heard it a million times, but that means it’s worth repeating: Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Although sweat can be smelly, it’s essential in keeping our body temperature low. The more water you drink, the more you’ll sweat, and the cooler you’ll be!
Pulse-points
Pulse points are an easy fix for when you want instant relief from the heat. The neck, wrists, tops of the feet, inner ankles and thighs, and temples are all pulse points that send sensations throughout the rest of the body. That’s why when an athlete overheats, you might see their coach put a cold towel around their neck or run cold water on their wrists.
Know your windows
Windows are great for filling our homes with natural light, but with light comes heat. An easy fix for reducing heat brought on by windows is to shade the windows facing east and west. Curtains with light-colored backs, blinds, or reflective film are all useful in deflecting the sun’s rays, thus knocking the temperature in your home down a few degrees.
Schedule your chores
A lot of everyday appliances, such as the dishwasher, oven, and washer and dryer, emit heat into the room. In order to keep your home feeling cooler during the day, save the dishes for when you go to bed or consider using a clothesline when drying the laundry.
Gardening inside and out
Plants may as well be nature’s air conditioner. Through transpiration, plants absorb hot air and release moisture, helping to cool down the area around them and purify the air. Aloe Vera, ferns, and ficus trees are just a few of the plants known for keeping homes comfortably cool. But if you would rather keep the greenery outside, consider planting trees outside the east- and west-facing windows to provide additional shade from the sun.