Eco-Friendly Living
6 ways to cool your home during a heatwave
Photography, Delaney Van, Unsplash.com
Eco-Friendly Living
6 ways to cool your home during a heatwave
Heat waves have become a common recurrence in recent years.
If you don't have air conditioning, they can be difficult to handle both day and night.
As yet another heat wave sweeps across Canada, here are some ways to cool down your home during this hot time.
Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to help keep your home cool during a heat wave.
Here are six you can implement right away:
1. STOCK UP ON PLANTS
Green plants aren't just pretty, they're also very useful in hot weather. Green plants help regulate humidity in a room. In large numbers, they can even act as a heat barrier.
2. BREAK OUT THE SUMMER BEDDING
In summer, your bed should be stripped of all the superfluous things you like to wrap yourself up in during the colder days. Put away the comforter, pillows, throw, etc. Get linen sheets that breathe well, and don't be afraid to sleep with a simple flat sheet on very warm nights. If you don't feel comfortable, a lightweight summer quilt may come in handy.
3. UNPLUG ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
It's a well-known fact that it's best to avoid leaving the oven on during a heatwave, as the heat released by the appliance will quickly invade your home. In an ideal world, in addition to avoiding the use of electrical appliances in the home, you should unplug them. If this isn't possible, avoid using them during the day. Do household chores like washing and dishwashing in the evening, when it's a bit cooler.
4. PLAY WITH YOUR WINDOWS
During the day, close your windows to prevent heat and humidity from entering your home. Once the sun goes down, open them to circulate the air, and place standing fans in front of them and in various strategic locations to propel the air through your rooms. It's also a good idea to keep curtains closed during the day in rooms where the sun is shining.
5. TURN YOUR FAN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
If you have ceiling fans, be sure to turn them counter-clockwise. This way, the blades push the air downwards, and this circulation helps cool a room.
6. SAY GOODBYE TO INCANDESCENT BULBS
Before the next heatwave, take a trip to the hardware store to stock up on compact fluorescent bulbs. In addition to saving you money on your next electricity bill, these bulbs give off much less heat when they're on.
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