Beat the Summer Heat At Home

Things are certainly heating up on this side of the globe. With the summer season in full swing, Australians are finding themselves right in the middle of scorching hot temperatures that could cause certain health issues if you’re not prepared for them.

You’re fortunate if you work in an air conditioned office during the day because you’ll be spared from 40 degree days without much expense on your part, but what about those who work from home? What about your children, or any other member of your household who has to stay home?

If you’re not willing to keep your home air conditioning system running the entire day, the members of your household will have to find ways to fend off the summer heat. Fortunately, there are a lot of cheaper and easier ways to keep cool at home. Here are some of them.

1. Do your chores at night

A washing machine, a dishwasher or an oven that’s running give off a lot of heat. Obviously, you don’t need that kind of heat, not in this weather. If you can help it, do these chores at night when the temperatures are lower.

2. Keep your windows shut during the day

This might go against all your instincts, but it’s better to shut your windows tight when the sun is wreaking havoc. That way, you will be able to keep the 40 degree air outside from getting into your home and transforming it into a sauna.

3. Cover your windows

On top of shutting your windows tight during the day, it would also help if you can cover them too. Pull your curtains, close your blinds and shut your shutters. The thicker your blinds, curtains and shutters, the better. This way, you can repel more heat and keep it from entering your home.

4. Keep your windows open at night

When night comes, throw those windows open and let the cool air in. The much cooler air will circulate all around your home and cool down the entire structure after a day under the scorching sun. If possible, keep them open all night long, especially when you know that the next day would be even hotter.

5. Keep the ducts sealed

Covering the ducts of your heating system would block out any unwanted heat much like they would when you shut your windows during the day.

6. Protect your external air-con box from the sun

If your external air conditioner box is being hit directly by the sun, it stands to lose of its efficiency. To prevent that, we recommend that you get that box some shade. You can also make your unit run more efficiently by regularly cleaning the filters.

6. Drink plenty of water

This is quite obvious, but sometimes this habit needs to be reinforced. In this weather, drinking more than the usual 8 glasses a day is recommended, as you will most likely be sweating all day. Water, of course, is the only real choice here to keep yourself hydrated.

7. Keep a spray bottle of water in the fridge

Let’s say that the heat is becoming unbearable, even when you’re sitting directly underneath the ceiling fan in your living room. Spritzing yourself with cold water offers a really fast way of cooling down. Spray that cold water on your body’s quick-cooling points, and you’ll be cooling down in no time at all.

Any other cool ideas to beat the summer heat at home? Hit the comments!