When the summer heat sets in, we cannot overstate the importance of keeping cool. As temperatures rise, heat exhaustion or heat stroke become ever-increasing causes of human mortality – especially in hot, concrete cities like Los Angeles. While cranking up the AC is a classic go-to for relieving the heat, it isn’t exactly the most budget or environmentally friendly option. Luckily there’s plenty of ways to beat the heat while saving precious energy and your hard-earned money.

Proper Preparations

An essential element to beating the heat is planning ahead and making sure your home environment is nice and cool to begin with.

1.     Block Out the Sun

Keeping your home cool starts with blocking out the sun’s heat. You’d be shocked how much work a heavy curtain can do in reducing how much the sun warms your house. For windows that lack curtains or blinds, such as backyard doors or bay windows, you can pin a spare bed sheet to the wall and cover up those areas where the sun might try to creep in.

2.     Optimize Ventilation

Your home can’t cool down if the air inside can’t circulate. Once the sun sets and temperatures drop, open your windows to allow the cold air into your home, and in the morning close the windows to trap that coolness inside. It’s important to remember not just to open the window closest to you, but to open windows and bedroom/bathroom doors all across the house. This produces what’s known as a cross-breeze and will promote a more complete cooling of your house.

Staying Cool Under Pressure

When you’re feeling the heat, here’s what you can do to stay cool while saving energy.

1. Try Not To Use Your Stove

Making food often produces more than just a delicious meal – it produces heat, especially if you are cooking on a gas stove-top. When it’s warm, the best thing to do is avoid using your stove or oven as much as possible. Try making food which can be eaten cold or can be warmed up in a microwave, slow-cooker, or air-fryer.

Alternatively if you can handle the outdoor heat, grilling is also an option which won’t make your home miserably hot. Just make sure you drink plenty of water and try to keep your grill in the shade.

2. DIY Air Conditioning

Personal standing fans are a cost and energy-efficient way of keeping yourself cool. If the rush of air blowing against you isn’t quite enough to stave off the heat, you can even create your own makeshift AC unit. All you need is a bowl and some of the ice from your freezer. Simply fill the bowl with ice, set it in front of the fan, and relish in the miracle of thermodynamics as the air blowing towards you becomes a whole lot cooler. This chilly air will spread through the house and have a lasting cooling effect – it’s extra effective in small rooms.

3. Stay Hydrated

This one we can’t stress enough – good hydration can be the difference between a dog day and a deadly day. You should be aiming to drink at minimum 8 glasses of water per day – more if you plan on being active or spending time outdoors. Consuming foods with high water contents like watermelon, cucumbers, and strawberries will also help your body get the liquid it needs. 

If you need to go anywhere, don’t forget your reusable water bottle. The last thing you want to happen is to be out and about, get thirsty, and feel forced into buying bottled water. Save the environment by not contributing to plastic pollution!

4. Minimize Electronic Use  

Admittedly, electronics have gotten a lot more energy efficient in recent years – but don’t underestimate how much heat a bulky PC, laptop, or lightbulb can generate. Use the heat wave as the perfect excuse to peel yourself away from your screens – spend the afternoon meditating, reading, or spending quality time with loved ones.

Staying cool during a hot summer doesn’t have to mean higher energy bills or harming the environment. By using these energy-saving tips, you can enjoy a comfortable summer while being eco-friendly. Remember to stay hydrated and appreciate your water this summer, Angelinos!

Did we leave an essential summer hack out? Feel free to send us photos of your beat the heat tips, along with any questions or comments related to this blog. You can reach us at lastormwater@gmail.com.