After what seemed like the never ending winter, summertime in the Northwest is FINALLY here! (yippee!) If you are like me, then you look forward to warmer temperatures and clear blue skies during the months of July, August, and even September. Growing up in the great PNW I truly believe there is nothing better than a summer day in Washington. A deep breath of fresh air to start the morning, a relaxing boat ride with a hot breeze wisping through your hair, and BBQin barefoot with shorts and a tank top on is what my summer days consist of. Those summer days never seem to end with daylight lasting until 10pm. While a long day enjoying bright sunshine seems dream-like after so many dark days of winter, hot temperatures can take a toll on our body, and our energy bill. We've seen record breaking temperatures across the northwest and cranking up the AC seems like the best quick fix. As temps continue to rise, your carbon emissions and energy consumption can sky rocket as well. I've included some helpful hints on cooling down this summer.... the GREEN WAY! Remember, just like anything, AC in moderation is ok. Why not try out some other methods for cooling down?
Looking for a quick easy fix? Wash your hands! By placing dabs of cool water on your wrist or other pulse points can help lower your body's core temp.
Ceiling fans can be great during the summertime, making a whole room much cooler. Make sure you are cooling things down by checking the fan's rotation direction. You want the fan to blow air down. This is usually indicated by the fan blades moving counter-clockwise if you are standing underneath.
If you aren't sold on the Fan idea... get this. Fans use 90% energy than central air, and they can make room feel up to TEN DEGREES COOLER!
Clothing options can cool you off as well. Wear loose fitting and lighter colored clothing to feel cooler. Linens made from natural fabric, cotton, help pull away moisture from your body cooling you down.
Unplugging appliances doesn't just cut costs, it cools your home down! TVs, computers, VCRs and more give off heat even when they are not in use. By plugging these into a power strip and flipping the switch off, or simply unplugging the appliance, you can reduce the temp of your home.
Turn off the "drying cycle" on your dishwasher!!!! Your dishes can air dry! If you air dry clothes (good bye dryer!) they will actually last longer.
Using the microwave instead of the oven can keep temperatures down.
By using CLF (compact fluorescent lights) you can keep the temperatures down. I use CFLs in my bathroom to help keep the heat down. After a hot shower, blow drying my hair and turning on a straightener, CFLs make a huge difference.
Make sure to keep windows closed at the hottest part of the day. If you open a window, open another one to create a cross breeze. Believe it or not, a breeze of just 1MPH can make you feel up to 4 degrees cooler!
I'll end with one of my favorite tricks for beating the heat while snoozing. Place a cool, damp wash cloth on your forehead and turn out the light. This will help keep you cool, even more so with a fan blowing on your face!
If you have any tips for cooling off and staying green please comment or email me at MollyO@kvewtv.com
Happy cooling!
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