Stay Cool without Air Conditioning

The coming of summer means longer days and higher temperatures, as well as higher energy costs as we try to keep our homes comfortably cool. Don’t sweat it.

Here are some tips for beating the heat without running the air conditioning 24/7:

• Choose light fabrics at home. You don’t want dark, heavy drapes and bedspreads absorbing heat during the day. Replace them with lighter materials. Also, wear clothes that are made of natural fibers. Synthetics can block your sweat, making you feel warmer.
• Close the curtains and blinds during the day. This can prevent your home from heating up in the hot sun. At night, once the temperature dips below 77, you can open your windows to let cooler air flow through the house.
• Keep the air moving. An oscillating fan will circulate the air more efficiently than a stationary one. Buy a large one for better coverage. If you sit in front of it to cool off, though, be careful not to let the air dry your eyes. If you have a ceiling fan, make sure the blades rotate counterclockwise during the summer months to push cool air down into the room.
• Turn off appliances. Lights, computers, stoves, and anything else that runs on electricity will produce heat. Keep them off when you’re not using them. Avoid cooking if you can; make sandwiches instead of oven-roasted chicken for dinner, for example.