The sun is out and the world shines with it. But in this rising heat, things have been getting a little uncomfortable. Thankfully, there are few tips you can follow to reduce the summer heat from your home and body. In this article, we have gathered thirteen ways to escape the summer heat if you don’t have an air conditioner.
As summers approach each year, we all dread the long periods of bearing the burning heat during the day. The nights can get extremely warm too, with many of us tossing and turning in bed all night. One obvious solution would be to install an air conditioner. However, what about those who do not have one? How they should escape from the summer heat? Well, keep reading for the solutions.
Ways to Escape the Summer Heat:
1. Keep your body cool
Wear loose and light-colored clothes during the day as they reflect the summer heat. Cotton is an excellent choice of fabric to wear during the summers.
Moreover, you can keep a cold cloth handy and occasionally apply to your neck and wrists. Cooling your pulse points will help lower your body temperature in summer.
2. Drink plenty of water and chilled drinks
It is essential to keep your body hydrated during the summer season. Ensure that you have a supply of chilled water at home.
If you do not have a water cooler, you can fill water bottles and refrigerate them. Also, treat yourself to other chilled and iced drinks to keep cool in the summer season. Moreover, water intake is good for heart health and skin, so the more liquids you take, the better it is.
3. Keep the heat out
If you want to avoid the summer heat from your house, then make sure to keep your blinds shut during the day. So, that warm air does not come into your house.
As the sun sets and the temperatures drop, remember to open the curtains to let the warm air inside escape. Thermodynamics will come into action as convection currents will cause the warm air to go out and fresh air to come in.
You can ensure you stay cool in your house during the summers by keeping the sun’s rays out. Try using heat blocking curtains. Alternatively, you also choose something else which you can close during the day.
4. Choose your sheets wisely
To escape the summer heat it is recommended that you change your bedding with the seasons. Insulating textiles such as flannel sheets are a good choice, but the best option for summers is cotton. Cotton is more permeable to air and helps you stay cooler.
For your pillows, you can go with buckwheat hulls which have naturally occurring air spaces between them. These help you beat the warmth by not trapping your body heat. Combine cotton bedsheets with a buckwheat pillow to ensure you stay cool throughout the night.
5. Install fans in the bathroom and kitchen
Try to install bathroom and exhaust fans as it is a very proven way to escape the summer heat from the house. Bathroom fans will remove the hot air that rises after a steamy shower. While the latter will keep your kitchen cool while cooking and there will be less exhaustion.
6. Avoid heavy meals
Your body produces heat when it digests food. Avoid heavy meals, especially at night, to stay cool. Switch meat for lighter foods such as fruits and vegetables. Also, try to avoid cooking in your oven during the summers so that less heat forms inside the house. Instead, go for grilling outside.
7. Find a cool spot to sleep
If you have the option, ditch your bedroom upstairs. As hot air is lighter, it tends to rise, and the heavy cooler air settles at the bottom.
The hack for better sleep at night in summer that finds a spot to sleep on the ground floor or basement of your house. If you live in an apartment, try placing your mattress on the floor and sleeping, as it is usually cooler there.
8. Stop using incandescent lights in your home
Incandescent light bulbs emit 90% of their input energy as heat. This is not only a waste of electricity but also causes extra warmth in your homes.
Try switching to other fluorescent bulbs to cool down your home and save on electric energy. It is one of the best ways to escape the summer heat from the house. Moreover, since the days are longer during the summers, you can make the most use out of natural light.
9. Disconnect all electric devices
Unplugging all electric devices can help you reduce overall heat in the house as well as save energy. Use minimal sockets and keep an eye on the appliances not in use to ensure minimal heat.
10. Create own cooling fan
Yes, you read correctly! You can create your own cooling fan by using this simple household hack.
First, fill a bowl with ice or an ice pack. Then, position it in front of a large fan in such a way that the air comes off the ice. You will feel cold air coming from the fan and wouldn’t feel the need for an air conditioner.
11. Adjust your ceiling fans
Most fans come equipped with two modes for summer and winter. Remember to adjust your ceiling fan so that it rotates counterclockwise. This way, it will push the colder air downwards. Also, set your fan speed to high.
12. Try the Egyptian way of sleeping
Ever wondered how our Egyptian ancestors managed to sleep in the scorching summers? They used to soak their blankets in water before sleeping. Dampen your sheet in cold water and then use it as a blanket to stay cool during the night.
You can also try putting your sheets and pillowcases in the fridge to help keep cool during the night. Moreover, before you sleep, keep a bowl of cold water near your bed and soak your feet in it. This will help lower your body temperature as well as an escape from the summer heat.
13. Create a cross-breeze
Position a fan in front of a window in such a way that the wind from the fan and from the outside combine to produce a cooling cross-breeze. You can place multiple fans at different positions in the room to increase the airflow and help cool down the room.
Whether an air-conditioner is out of your budget or you feel environmentally-responsible, there are still many ways to escape the summer heat. So, the next time you feel the heat, try one of these ways and do not immediately resort to an air conditioner!