Ten tips for beating the heat without burning the AC oil in August
Keep cool and green in the dog days of summer
By Plenty editors
On the list of things that are hot—Brangelina, asphalt in the sun, anything Paris Hilton takes a shine to, Venus (the planet, not the razor)—the month of August ranks pretty high up. According to NOAA, August is “typically one of the hottest months of the year.” More than 50 US deaths in August 2007 were attributed to heat, and “numerous all time record highs” were set as well. Talk about drippy-popsicle season. But you don’t have to blast the AC to keep the heat from ruining the tail end of your summer. Try our top ten manageable tips for keeping cool without a drop of toxic coolant.
Ceiling fan beats AC
We Americans are conditioned to love our air conditioning, but with energy prices rising, you’ve got to be masochistic or a billionaire to keep the thing on full blast 24/7. To cut down on AC cost, install a ceiling fan—it can actually make a room feel 6-7 degrees cooler and will cost a mere 4 to 5 cents per hour to operate. Keep it spinning counterclockwise, so it pushes air down on you. For extra brownie points, go with an Energy Star certified ceiling fan. It’ll use 20 percent less energy than a conventional one.
Cool the air naturally
On those sweltering days of summer your living room can feel like a sauna. If you live in an arid climate, you can rig a makeshift air conditioner in just a few minutes. Hang a damp sheet in front of an open window to lower the temperature of the air as it enters. On a gust-free day, fill a shallow bowl with ice and place it in front of a fan. Both methods cool the air through evaporation. If you're having a hard time wrapping your head around the concept, lick the back of your hand, then blow on it and feel the chill.
Light clothes
There’s a reason to avoid wearing white after Labor Day. It’s because you should already be wearing more than enough of it this summer! Though almost too simple to be true, wearing light-colored clothing does keep you cool while dark colors absorb heat. Speaking of clothes, be sure to choose loose-fitting garments made from natural fibers like cotton and silk (no polyester, please!) so that sweat can evaporate.
Turn on the pressure
Boiling body heat can drive people to extreme measures—jumping into frigid waters, taking cold showers, or even hiding out in a walk-in freezer. For a cool-down method that’s less of a shock to the senses, try putting ice packs or cold compresses on the body’s pressure points: The U.S. Army recommends targeting the armpits, temples, and groin. But if sitting outside with a crotch compress makes you a wee bit self-conscious, my family swears by icing pulse points on your wrists for heat relief.
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Comments
Essential oil of Peppermint is one way I keep cool during my summers organic farming. A little applied on the outer ear, behind the neck and over the chest create a refreshing tingle not to mention many other benefits such as one tiny drop permeating my ice water!
Posted by:chickeyfeather |August 26, 2008 9:47 AM