As the mercury continues to rise and heatwaves become increasingly common, we need to learn to protect ourselves from the heat using cost-effective and eco-friendly ways. Here we have listed 10 tips to keep cool and also save money.
Drink at least 3-4 litres of water. Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine as they can dehydrate the body.
Dip your feet in cold water to cool off. You can also apply water to your neck, arms, legs, and face with a sponge to get comfortable. Or you can wrap crushed ice cubes in a towel and place it around your neck.
According to Professor Ollie Jay, a researcher from the University of Sydney, self-dousing works better than hydration because you can expel a lot of heat with evaporation. If the water is clean enough to apply to the skin, the evaporation can cool you off and also help you stay hydrated without drinking too much water. It is especially important in developing countries that have a limited supply of clean drinking water.
These techniques work well in both humid and dry conditions and lower cardiovascular strain, improve thermal comfort, and reduce the rate of dehydration.
Cotton, bamboo, and linen clothes help your skin breathe, control moisture and lets you stay comfortable during hot temperatures.
Close the blinds and curtains in your home to prevent rooms from becoming hot during the day.
While you may want to set the aircon temperature to 18-19 degrees, it will actually consume more energy and increase your energy bills. Instead set the temperature to 24-27 degrees and turn on the fan. Ceiling fans can push the cool air down the floor, evaporate perspiration and help you stay cool. This increases the heat loss process via convection. Air conditioners can consume a lot of electricity so combining aircon with fans can help you stay cool without burning a hole in your pocket. In addition to that, it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Adjust your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise during summer to pull hot air upwards.
You can also put a bowl of ice in front of the fan. As the air blows from the fan, it will pick cold water from the ice’s surface as it melts and creates a cooling effect.
Eat salads, fruit and sip on lemonade, slurpies and ice blocks to stay cool. It is believed that certain foods raise body temperature and digesting a big meal can warm you up.
Block the heat of the day by using large potted plants to get natural shade. You can also plant shade trees around your home to help reduce the ambient temperature inside.
Avoid using the oven during hot temperatures as it will just increase the temperature of your home. Also, avoid using halogen lightbulbs as they generate a lot of heat, instead switch to LED bulbs which can keep your home cool and also consume less energy.
Avoid going out during middle of the day to prevent sunburn and heat stroke on super hot days. If you do not have air conditioning at home, consider spending the day in the library or shopping centre. And if you do have an aircon at home, make sure it is serviced just before summer to maximise the performance of the unit and prevent unexpected breakdowns. If your air conditioner is not working properly or blowing hot air, consider upgrading to an aircon with high energy rating.
Need help with your air conditioner? Contact New Wave Air on (02) 4627 4436 or complete our online aircon enquiry form.
