Portland, OR is going to see temperatures hitting above 100 degrees this week. If you are lucky enough to have air conditioning then keep reading because this blog can help you with keeping your home cooler without relying heavily on your air conditioner. That means fewer energy bills and money savings. If you don’t have air conditioning, then read on for a few tips to help you stay cool this summer.
When summer hits, especially when temperatures are hitting above 100, HVAC companies are working around the clock to get them up and running or trying to get them installed. It isn’t unusual to call for an install or service appointment and have to wait a week or two, sometimes even three. It’s the peak of the air conditioner season. If you are having to wait then you may want to check out a few of these tips to help keep you cool, or if you don’t have an air conditioner then these may help you stay cool.
3 Ways to Help You Stay Cool
Fans! Fans! Fans!
If you have ceiling fans now is a great time to use them. Just be sure they are at the optimized setting so they are circulating the cool air. Remember warm air rises and cold air stays at the bottom so you want to get that air to circulate.
Also, if you have the fan blowing out your window at night will help you drop the temperature in your home when it’s cooler at night. The cooler air will come in, and you will be blowing the hot air out. If the air outside isn’t very cool then it’s best to keep the fan blowing on you at night.
Some people have suggested putting a bowl of ice in front of your fan so that it will create cold air and blow a mist on you while you sleep at night.
Egyptian Method
This method is based on how the ancient Egyptians would stay cool on hot nights. You just need to soak a sheet or blanket in cold water. Then wring it out so it is damp. You use this as a blanket. The water will evaporate and you will stay cool but not wet.
This is the same method but on a smaller scale like when our parents would say to use a cold washcloth on our foreheads or put an ice pack on our head to help keep cool.
Block Out the Heat
One of the best ways to keep your home from getting hotter is to keep the sun out. Nowadays you can purchase thermal curtains that can help block out the sun, and keep the heat coming in to a minimum. You can find them in almost every size, and color.
Once it starts to cool down, then you can open the curtains and windows and let that hot air escape.
You will also want to try and insulate your windows. This is just as important for the summer months as it is in the winter. It will help keep the hot air out during the hot months and keep the warm air in during the cold months.
Using all three of methods will help stay a little cooler so you can get thru those hot summer days.
