When temperatures are on the rise, it seems like you only have two options: run the A/C until you get goose bumps and a power bill bigger than the national debt, or save your pennies and sweat it out hoping you don’t get heat stroke.
But there are ways you can control the temperature in your apartment and keep your energy bill down. Follow these steps for a cooler apartment and lower bills.
Cool down your apartment
There are many steps you can take to cool down your apartment without blasting the air conditioner.
•Cross ventilation is the key. Open windows on both sides of your apartment to allow air circulation.
•Window fans work best when blowing air out, so put your fan on the sunny side of the apartment and let it expel the hot air while pulling cool air from open windows on the shady side.
•Keep shades or curtains pulled on the sunny side of the house.
•Make your own personal air conditioner by placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan and letting it blow on you.
•If your apartment has a ceiling fan, use it.
•Replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent. This will also save energy.
•If you get a lot of direct sunlight, think about window films to block heat. They will also keep heat from going out the windows in the winter.
Act cool
Sometimes what you do in your apartment can raise the inside temperature or make you fell hotter. Take these steps to make you feel cooler.
•Exercise and do strenuous activities in the evening or early morning when temperatures are lower.
•Pace yourself when performing household activities, such as cooking or cleaning, and don’t over-exert yourself.
•Keep wet. Take tepid baths or showers, or go swimming in the community pool.
•Avoid opening and closing the refrigerator and freezer often, as the harder they work, the more heat they put out.
•Put cold cloths or ice on your pulse points, especially on the neck and wrists.
•If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Spend as much time as possible in the cooler areas of your apartment.
•Instead of an oven, use your microwave or a toaster oven. Or choose meal elements involving items that don’t require baking, such as sandwiches.
Dress cool
Make sure what you’re wearing is not working against these cooling techniques.
•Think light, both in color and in fabric.
•Natural fabrics like cotton are much cooler than most synthetics, although there are new high-tech synthetics made specifically to keep you cool.
•Loose fitting clothes allow air to circulate, keeping you cooler.
•The fewer clothes, the better; but make sure your apparel is appropriate for your roommates or houseguest.
Eat and drink cool
What you put in your body can have almost as much effect as what you put on your body.
•Dehydration can sneak up on you, so make sure to drink plenty of water.
•Limit caffeinated, alcoholic or carbonated beverages, as they can speed up dehydration.
•Fruit juices and sports beverages can help replace minerals lost due to sweating, but don’t overdo it. They are also full of sugar, which can cause dehydration.
•Eat small, light meals.
•Eat foods high in water content, like fruits and vegetables.
Get out of there
When all else fails, hang out somewhere cool: a movie theater (one reason summer movies do so well), a mall, a library, a museum or even a friend’s house. Spending just a couple of hours in a cool environment will make you feel much better.
