Climate change has made summers nearly unbearable. Unless you protect yourself, the onset of dehydration, nausea, muscle cramps, and headaches are signs of heat-related illnesses. But there are surefire ways to beat the summer heat. Here’s how.
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Hydrate
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Choose the right clothes
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Eat light… or spicy
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Use your climate control gadgets
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Rotate ceiling fans counter clockwise
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Keep your HVAC system in top condition
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See how the others are doing
Drinking water is good, but replacing the electrolytes you lose when you sweat excessively is better. Electrolytes are minerals like calcium, potassium, and sodium that are vital in keeping the body functioning at an optimum. Other than drinks that purport to replace lost minerals (but are heavy on sugar), opt for a natural boost by eating bananas, avocados, and yogurt, and drinking milk and coconut water.
Loose clothing circulates air in your body. Cotton, linen, chambray, and other fabrics with moisture-righting properties promote sweat evaporation. Light-colored clothes deflect heat away from the body. Dark ones absorb the sun’s heat.
Stick to easily digestible salad greens with healthy ingredients. While it seems counterintuitive, hot, spicy foods that make you sweat cools you down better than ice-cream!
When you’re home, keep the AC at 78 degrees during summer, recommends the Department of Energy. To regulate the changing temperatures throughout the day, get yourself a smart thermostat controller. You can also look into an HVAC zoning system, which will allow you to adjust the temperature of individual spaces depending on their location, function, and frequency of use. It saves on energy bills.
When you’re home, keep the AC at 78 degrees during summer, recommends the Department of Energy. To regulate the changing temperatures throughout the day, get yourself a smart thermostat controller. You can also look into an HVAC zoning system, which will allow you to adjust the temperature of individual spaces depending on their location, function, and frequency of use. It saves on energy bills.
Cooler air will blow your way. Clean the blades to keep dust and allergens from spreading all over.
Schedule a twice-yearly maintenance check – one in spring for your AC and one in fall for heating. You don’t want a breakdown in the middle of summer, do you? On your own, clean air filters every two weeks to avoid issues. Vacuum air vents to keep dust from accumulating. This also spares you from paying exorbitant power bills.
If you’ve protected yourself from the heat, make sure that children, older loved ones, and pets are also safe. Don’t bring the kids on errand runs to avoid inadvertently leaving them in the car. Check on older relatives or friends to make sure they’re fine. Send them care packages with items that will help them beat the heat. Or, offer to drive them to appointments. Protect your pets. Scale back on their exercise; don’t leave them in cars or standing in hot asphalt or sand; and replenish their water bowls frequently..
Summer is fun in Winthrop, WA if you know how to beat rising temperatures. If you’re in the area and you’d like to check out new homes with upgraded climate control systems, give us a call at 509.996.2121 or contact us here.
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