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Summer is getting hotter by the year, and we can’t ignore its impact on our health. As the global average temperatures were forecasted to rise, 2023 is expected to hit the record for one of the hottest years. This worrying aspect makes experts worry, as heat waves usually lead to heat cramps, exhaustion, heatstroke and hyperthermia. But extreme hot weather also damages our houses, as the foundations might lose grip since the moisture in the earth is drying out.
Taking care of ourselves and our homes is essential during summertime, even though you’d never thought about it. The power of the heat gets so intense that as the moisture evaporates, the likelihood of storms to happen increases, and fire hazards are everywhere around us.
But let’s not think about the worst-case scenario and prepare our houses to protect us from the excessive heat this summer.
Create a Barrier Against the Heat
You can spend less on cooling systems if you block the heat from entering your house. Some efficient things you can do include installing shade windows, like blinds, and protecting the walls of the building with large potted plants and awnings. Investing in ceiling insulation is also great for any season, not only summer.
Of course, to keep your house cool, it’s important to close your blinds, doors and windows during the day so the heat doesn’t get inside. It might get dark inside, but at least the cold makes the extreme weather bearable. Choose to aerate your house in the morning, when the temperatures are still low or at night, but make sure you use insect screens for windows to keep mosquitos and other bugs away from your rooms.
Wear Breathable Clothes
Wearing proper clothes during the summer can make the difference between staying comfortable and sweating profusely. Therefore, some clothes made of breathable materials, like bamboo, will allow your skin to breathe. Choosing quality products from This is J will make summer weather less annoying in terms of loungewear and sleepwear. Using similar textiles for your bed and pillow sheets, like cotton, will also help you sleep better.
It’s also great to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water during the day to provide your body with enough moisture to help it face the heat. Taking showers with the water temperature set a little bit lower than usual also helps your skin and contributes to gaining energy as the water can lower your body temperature. If you’re sitting on the porch or somewhere hot, use some cold washrags on your neck and wrists to cool down, as in these areas, your blood vessels are closer to the skin.
Replace Your Air Filters More Frequently
The HVAC system you use might be more challenging during summer, considering that the air filters require more energy, so replacing or cleaning them frequently (once a month) will help them remain efficient and maintain clean air inside.
Changing your air filters is necessary because the apparatus runs longer cycles to face the heat. This means that more air goes through the system, increasing the airborne quantity captured by the filter. Plus, more humid air circulates through the system in summer cooling, and the filter may get filled with moisture that blocks the airways. Don’t forget about airborne allergy triggers that are more frequent during summer, such as pollen and mold.
Check for Water and Air Leaks
If you’ve already tried these tips and somehow, the heat still gets inside the house, it’s probably due to air or water leaks you’re not way about. Air leaks can be prevalent in doors and windows, so you should reseal them if you notice missing, cracked or peeling caulk.
Checking water leaks is also important because summer weather can bring more storms, flooding, and hot weather. In the worst case, when the water from the drains and grates around the house leaks, water might run towards your foundation, which is dangerous, so getting that checked is necessary.
Make Your House More Energy-Efficient
If you’ve financial stability, it would be best to prepare your house before summer to make it more efficient by replacing old appliances since they consume a lot of energy. For example, refrigerators are among the first to make your bills more expensive, so you either clean up the condensing coils and dust it off or purchase a new one with a good energy-efficient rating.
You can call in professionals or do an energy-assessment audit to help you search for the places where energy is lost and the best method to remedy the situation. It’s best to consider these repairs before the problem gets worse, and you may need to replace more appliances or systems.
Keep the House Neat
Although this might not seem like something to do only during summer to prevent the house from heating up, keeping a clean home can definitely change the setting. Dust should be swept; you can use a vacuum cleaner to keep the floors in good condition. Dust can affect your health more during warm months when dust mites increase. At the same time, making sure you decrease humidity in your house will also minimize the chances of these dust mites occurring and triggering allergies.
Reducing humidity inside the house can be done efficiently by taking your plants outside as they release moisture in the air and keeping inside those that don’t need much watering. Installing a dehumidifier is also a good idea, and portable ones are pretty affordable. Finally, you can keep surfaces dry after using them, such as drying sinks or counters with a cloth to avoid mold.
Final Considerations
Summer might be the best time of the year, but it can also be the most annoying due to the extreme heat and humidity inside the house. So, if you want to keep your home cool, make sure you don’t let the warm air get inside, clean your HVAC system frequently and wear airy clothes around the house.
