Four Tips for Beating the Summer Heat

The hot, humid and hazy days of summer are a familiar plight for many Canadians, especially for those living in bustling city centres. As tempting as it may be (and it often is), cranking up your A/C during the warm summer months is largely detrimental to both your wallet and the environment. While many of us have access to an A/C unit, there's nothing au naturel about stepping into a wintry clime after baking outdoors. Instead of languishing through the summer months with sweat dripping down your brow, borrow some cooling wisdom from the pre-A/C days of years past with help from this article.

Below are four tips to help you beat the summer heat by being mindful of…

Your Windows & Blinds

Unsurprisingly, much of your home's heat (and cool air) seeps in and out of your windows and doors. While it may be tempting to crack a window open to help with air flow and circulation, it's best to solely keep your windows open at night. Leaving them open during the day encourages warm air to circulate through your home and will allow any cool air to escape. Summer nights tend to cool off and offer a welcome breeze. By the same logic, it's also important to keep your blinds and other window treatments closed during the day to help block sun rays that can quickly warm up your space. Keeping the sun out prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse, which is especially true for south- and west-facing windows. Depending on where you live, and the direction your windows face, it may also be worthwhile to invest in blackout curtains to further prevent the penetration of harmful rays. By blocking sunlight, these curtains insulate the rooms they're in, keeping them cool. Neutral-coloured curtains with white plastic backings are the best options and have been reported to reduce heat gain by up to 33 per cent. 

Finally,  while it's important to keep external windows and doors closed, it's a good idea to keep doors within your home open. Opening up rooms will promote airflow within your home preventing stagnant and stale air, and helping to keep you and your loved ones cool. This is especially important overnight while you have your windows open as it will promote a cross-breeze. 

Your Appliances

Besides your oven, many of your home's appliances & electronics  are sources of unwanted heat. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can easily mitigate heat output throughout all of your home's rooms. One common course of action is to do your household chores, such as laundry, cooking and ironing at night. This allows you to take advantage of cheaper electricity rates and prevents unnecessary heat during the day.  Alternatively, you may choose to use a clothesline to avoid using a dryer; opt to BBQ and cook outdoors more often; and generally cook less. Pre-cooking large quantities of grains or vegetables on a Sunday evening can save time and energy throughout the week. 

You'll also help your home and yourself stay cool by:

• Keeping your furnace, bathroom and kitchen fans on to assist in pulling hot air out of your home. 
• Replacing any incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient options.
• If you have a ceiling fan, try switching the blades to spin counter-clockwise.
• Unplugging any appliances or electronic devices that aren't in use to prevent phantom heat output.
• If you absolutely need to use your A/C, be mindful of maximizing its efficiency by using a programmable thermostat and changing its filters regularly. 

Your Home's Exterior

If you're looking to invest a little more time and money, there are many projects that can improve your home's exterior, keeping your interiors cool throughout the summer. Planting trees and other greenery in your front or backyard will provide natural shade, which will help keep you cool when lounging outdoors. Plants also act as a natural filter from the sun, shielding your home from its rays and naturally keeping it cool. You can achieve a similar effect by installing awnings, shades and shutters to the windows and doors around your home. Strategically placing a patio umbrella near one of your sun-facing windows will also do the trick, and has the added benefit of feeling like you're beachside. 

If you live in a particularly hot climate and simply cannot stand the heat, you may consider re-painting your home and replacing your roof. Painting your home a light colour will reflect heat and work to keep your interiors cool. Further, alternatives to traditional shingles such as: slate, concrete, clay, various tiles and metal offer better heat protection from the sun. While both of these options present a large and immediate investment, they'll pay off long into the future and help you rely less on your A/C. 

Miscellaneous Items 

There are a few additional steps you can take to make it easier to wean yourself off of your A/C dependency. These include:

• Frequently changing your bed sheets and using linens made from natural fibres, such as cotton or bamboo.
• Sleeping downstairs if possible, as hot air rises. Try re-locating your mattress or using a pull-out sofa. 
• Installing a dehumidifier if you live in a humid climate, and being mindful of wearing light, breathable clothing made from natural fibres. 

Don't let the rising mercury lead to rising frustrations on keeping yourself and your home cool. There are many DIY options you can easily implement within your home to keep cool during the summer months without heavily relying on your A/C. While completely cutting yourself off from A/C may not always be possible, taking steps to gradually lessen your dependency is very doable. Check out Furniture.ca for great deals on indoor and outdoor furniture, and home accessories to help create your own cool oasis just in time for summer.