Summer is supposed to be the season of nonstop fun, but even the sunniest of days don’t keep the all the dreads away: the dreaded sound of an air conditioner breaking down, the dreaded cost of a utility bill for running the air conditioner all month, or relentless heat from noon through the night because you don’t have an air conditioner at all. Dread not, as there are plenty of easy and affordable alternative ways ways to keep your cool this summer.
1. Get yourself a mister, mister!
Noel Stalgren, a manger at the Glendale Home Depot, says you don’t have to suffer a hot house. Although his first recommendation is picking up a portable air conditioner or portable swamp cooler at your local home repair shop, he acknowledges such items can leave your wallet as dry as a Colorado summer. “A mister is a nice alternative you can pick up for less than $40,” he said. A mister is not onlybudget friendly, but user friendly too. Used outside on a patio or a lawn, a mister simply hooks up to a garden hose and can cool the area by anywhere from 10 to 30 degrees (depending on the quality of the particular unit purchased) by spraying the air with mist.
2. Vamp up your home!
No reading Twilight required, you can easily cool off your home by embracing the dark side. Light sources such as incandescent bulbs, televisions, and computers create heat. Whenever possible, turning these items off can help cool down your home. Also, keeping any blinds and curtains closed during the daytime will keep your home significantly cooler. For the day–dwelling, warm–blooded, sun worshippers among us, reflective window covers are available through companies such as 3M to let the outside light through without as much of the heat. These covers also protect items in the house from sun damage, save energy, provide additional privacy (think tinted car windows), and make windows more resilient in the event of a major storm or attempted break in.
3. Try buckwheat and ice for a good night’s sleep!
Buckwheat pillows, available through online retailers such as Amazon, are an increasingly popular alternative to feather and memory foam pillows. Not only are they a great option for people who suffer from allergies to traditional materials used in pillows, but the breathable buckwheat stuffing allows air to circulate – meaning you will almost always have a much–desired (especially in the heat of a summer night!) cool side of a pillow to relax on.
But if a comfy and cool pillow doesn’t do the trick, try going old school with a fan and a bucket of ice close to your bed. Simply place a bowl or bucket of ice in front of your portable fan, and as the water melts, you’ll feel the cool of a makeshift air conditioner. Just remember to keep the bucket of ice a slight distance in front of the fan and away from the fan’s cord. A house fire will do nothing to cool you down!
4. Drink like a fish!
Strawberry daiquiris are classic summertime treats and might do a bit to cool you down, but water is your real best friend this time of year! “When you get overheated, you can literally dilate your peripheral arteries so much that you sacrifice your internal circulation,” said Dr. Sean O’Donnell, a Colorado Springs family and sports specialist. “That’s basically what heat stroke is. You’ve got confusion, bodily injury, etcetera.” The best way to avoid this, O’Donnell said, is by staying hydrated. This means drinking, according the Mayo Clinic, at least 13 cups of fluid per day if you are male and nine if you are female. However, wetting your whistle may not be enough to keep you feeling cool – wetting your entire body will help keep you feeling great of those scorching hot days. “I would advise getting some moisture,” O’Donnell said. “A little cool shower [will help].”
5. Hit the road!
Just like most people, your pets will likely be uncomfortable in a home that is 80 degrees and climbing. If you have a car and a little extra gas money, consider taking a quick (or long and leisurely) drive with your furry friend. Just remember to never, ever leave Fido alone in the car and bring plenty of water and snacks for the both of you.
Find more ways to save money on your energy bill with Xcel Energy’s tips at ofcnow.co/cool
