There’s no doubt about it – Southern California gets extremely hot during the summer. Most people’s first reaction to the heat is to crank up the air conditioning, but that’s not your only option. For a more cost-effective solution, try utilizing these tips to keep you and your home cooler.
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Use light-colored bed linens made of lightweight cotton, which are breathable and excellent for promoting ventilation and airflow in the bedroom.
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30% of unwanted heat comes from your windows, so try to utilize shades, curtains and blinds as much as possible.
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Set your ceiling fans to run counterclockwise, which pulls hot air up and out instead of just twirling it around the room.
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Cool down your home by closing off rooms will prevent the cool air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day.
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Fill a mixing bowl with ice (or something equally cold, like an ice pack) and position it at an angle in front of a large fan, so that the air whips off the ice at an extra-chilled, extra-misty temperature.
To cool down fast, apply ice packs or cold compresses to pulse points at the wrists, neck, ankles and behind the knees.
There’s a reason summer is barbeque season – stoves and ovens will make your house hotter. So, fire up the grill, or opt for cool, room-temperature dishes (like salad) instead. If it already feels like 100+ degrees in your home, the last thing you want to do is turn on a 400-degree oven. Besides, who doesn’t want to get more mileage out of their outdoor furniture and seasonal accessories? W Cool Down Your Home Without the AC
