Extreme heat can cause a plethora of problems for both you and your household. From heat-related illnesses to simple heat exhaustion, it’s important to keep high temperatures at bay. But how do you keep the heat down while avoiding excessive power bills?
Here are a few ways to keep yourself cool without overheating your wallet:
While using an air conditioner to combat extreme heat seems simple enough, there are factors to consider before turning the temperature down to 50. One of the most significant items to remember is the size of your unit and the space it’s attempting to cool. This is particularly critical for those with window air conditioners or portable air conditioning units.
Make sure the BTUs (British Thermal Units) are coherent with the size of the room you’re attempting to cool. So, a unit with a maximum output of 7,000 BTUs, for example, shouldn’t exceed a room that’s about 300 square feet. Likewise, to help keep your power bill low, be sure not to get a unit that is too large for your room either.
An oversized unit could lead to venting issues or increased power consumption. Getting appropriate size will help maintain normal body temperature levels while helping to keep your enclosed area properly cooled.
Taking a cold shower on particularly warm days is incredibly refreshing for some. In fact, taking a cooler shower on warm days not only saves on hot water factors, but can help bring your body temperature to a more reasonable level. It is crucial, however, to avoid excessively cold showers during heat waves or extremely high temperatures.
Jumping from one extreme to the other could have adverse effects on your body, such as cramps or skin irritation. If you feel the need to take excessively cold showers during heat waves, be sure to check with your doctor to ensure you won’t damage your body.
Hydration is a key player in staying cool in a hot environment. When you drink plenty of fluids throughout your day, you help maintain your body temperature, which could help you feel the true indoor temperature over your body heat.
One of the more cost-effective ways to beat the heat is to weather strip your doors, especially if you’ve noticed an influx in your power bill. Energy and cool air may leak through old weather stripping or areas where your home isn’t as sealed as it used to be. However, replacing old weather stripping can be fairly simple.
Gently pull the old weather stripping from the door, starting with a corner. For those with screws or nails, carefully remove them before attempting to remove the weather stripping. Once removed, clean any excess adhesive from the door. Then, remove the backing from your new weather stripping and apply it where the old stripping was.
Other items such as heavy window coverings, such as blackout curtains, can help keep excessive heat from entering your home.
Keeping your home cool during times of high heat is important for keeping you and your household safe during times of extreme heat. Heed any heat advisories or warnings in your area, as they are meant as heat safety precautions.
Lana Harris is a Chicago native who is a second-generation real estate professional. She was introduced to real estate at a very young age while attending open houses with her mother who is a broker. She honed her skills assisting in property searches (back in the thick, Multiple Listing Service book days,) and using map reading skills to help plan property tour sequencing. Lana’s love of working with people and delivering strong customer service led her to the retail sector, where she developed her management skills at MC Sports, Ann Taylor, and Adidas. She and her husband moved to Utah in 2008 to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains, and she began her real estate career here in 2015. Most recently, she was a VP of sales for a large team; she thrives on challenges and is determined to overcome obstacles to achieve results for her clients. Lana and her husband enjoy their three large dogs, skiing, camping and paddleboarding.
