How to Keep the Apartment Cool
The summer heatwave has officially hit SoCal, with temperatures already reaching well over 100°F in inland counties and likely to rise further as we move into July. As soon as the season hits triple digits, it is vital to take preparative measures to combat high heat and avoid heat related illness. We've provided tips and tricks in our article below to keep your home cool and comfortable this summer!
Regulate Air Flow
Creating optimal air flow is crucial to maintaining a pleasant environment in our homes. Without proper control of airflow, hot air can get trapped and cause our space to feel stagnant, stuffy and uncomfortable.
Fans are a resident's best friend in summer! By pulling air from one direction and pushing it to another, electric fans make it possible to manipulate temperatures for maximum comfort year-round! Ceiling fans, for example, can change direction depending on the season. In the winter, ceiling fans should spin clockwise to pull cool air up and disperse the warm air trapped at the ceiling. In summer on the other hand, fans should spin counterclockwise, pushing cool air down and preventing warm air from collecting. While a fan may not be able to change the temperature, it creates a breeze that makes us feel cooler. In addition to ceiling fans, did you know that exhaust fans are not just for moisture? They can also pull warm air out of a room. When returning to a warm home after a long day, turn on all exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom for a short time to expel hot air that has risen and collected in the home. While vertical air flow significantly improves our home's temperature, horizontal air flow takes advantage of cool outside air. By placing a portable energy efficient fan in front of an open window, brisk air can rapidly reach the whole room without using excessive electricity. For ultra warm days, use the ice bowl trick to cool down your home. Place a bowl full of ice in front of the fan as a DIY, effective and energy efficient “AC unit.” Go the extra mile on efficiency by reusing the water: once the ice melts, refreeze it in ice trays to be reused for the same purpose the next day!
Even without fans, we can still capitalize on cool air by opening doors and windows strategically throughout the day. While the hottest hours of the day may not offer indoor relief, taking full advantage of the coolest hours of day can keep your home comfortable all day long! In the early morning, let in as much cool air as possible. Throw open doors and windows to release stagnant air. Once the home is full of refreshing morning air, seal it up to stay comfortable for hours. The temperature will gradually rise throughout the day, but when the temperature outside once again dips below the number on the thermostat, it’s time to enjoy the lovely evening atmosphere. Open windows that are opposite each other in a room to create a cross breeze. Air pushing in from both sides helps to chill the home climate quickly. During peak sun hours, close doors to unused rooms such as extra bedrooms or secondary bathrooms. Whichever spaces you will be spending the most time in are the ones you will want to prioritize for air flow to make the most of it!
Summer Sun
Like every season, summer comes with both pros and cons. Summer sunshine means beach days, pool parties, and tropical getaways! Extra sunlight, however, also means soaring temperatures and occasionally dangerous heat. While soaking up the sun can provide us with plenty of benefits, it’s important to be mindful of protecting ourselves from excess heat. During peak daylight hours, keep blinds shut and curtains drawn to block out as much of the scorching sunrays as possible. Light filtering curtains and blackout curtains both serve unique purposes at this time of year. Consider which option can be most beneficial for your home. Light filtering curtains keep your home bright while blocking direct sunlight from warming up the home too much. Blackout curtains may darken the home, but they are very effective in reflecting UV rays outward and keeping your home cool. While the extra daylight hours mean less need for electric light usage, you may still want to consider how much energy your lights consume as power grids start to get overexerted this time of year from heatwaves and blasting AC units. Try out energy efficient LED light bulbs as they not only use less electricity but also emit less heat in your home. For more tips on energy efficiency, check out our article on Eco-Friendly Apartment Living!
Regulate your Body Temperature
At the end of the day, the goal in keeping our homes cool is to protect ourselves from heat illness and exhaustion. Beyond controlling the temperature of our external environment, there are many ways we can be mindful of our internal temperature at home. Try switching over to a cold food, no-cook menu. Summer salads can be assembled with a wide diversity of ingredients and flavors! Cold foods help keep our body temperature lower, while hot foods can push us toward overheating. During heatwaves, avoid using the stove and oven as much as possible. For proteins, purchase ready-to-eat food such as rotisserie chicken, frozen precooked shrimp, or high-quality sushi grade fish. If you do need to cook and prep meals, it may be helpful to adjust your sleep schedule to get up earlier and take advantage of early morning hours. The cool parts of the day are best to do any meal prep or chores. When possible, use the hottest hours of the day to rest and relax.
Stock the pantry and refrigerator with foods and drinks that support cool body temperatures and hydration. If you’re a morning cup of coffee person, it may be a good idea to switch to iced coffee at least temporarily to start the day off cool! Be aware of excess caffeine intake during heatwaves, however, as caffeine is dehydrating. As the temperatures rise, our bodies lose water quicker through sweat, meaning it is much easier to suffer from dehydration complications during hot months of the year. Keep hydration replenishers on hand, such as a Liquid I.V. hydration pack, in case you or a household member experiences dehydration. Incorporate a higher amount of hydrating foods into your meals such as cucumber, watermelon and even tofu and black beans. Foods which hold or absorb water can help your body reach and maintain it’s daily hydration goal. More than anything however, drink plenty of water every day to stay healthy and hydrated!
As recommended in our Summer Refresh article, switching out bedding in summer for cool, airy sheets can help to make sleep more comfortable. An additional hack can turn any sheets into cool sheets - literally! Early in the afternoon or evening, stick your sheets in the freezer! To keep them from getting any moisture in them, seal them in a freezer bag and let them cool down. Then make your bed with summer-ready, chilly sheets and enjoy a relaxing comfortable sleep! If you can’t fit all of your sheets, prioritize freezing your pillowcase to keep your head cool. It may also be wise to change your shower routine to cool showers in the evening or afternoon to protect your body from overheating.
Lastly, be familiar with the symptoms of heat related illnesses - such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion - and how to respond quickly if someone falls ill. Visit the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/extreme-heat/signs-symptoms/index.html for information on heat-sickness and what to do if you experience symptoms.
Summer is one of the most exciting times of the year! However, it is important that we remain safe and healthy throughout the season. Make sure your home is prepared for any heatwave that comes by following the guidelines above.