BEAT THE HEAT

As the temperature rises, so does the cost of cooling your home, especially if you use an air conditioner.  Here are some extra tips to stay cool in the hot summer weather:

1.       Stay hydrated with lots of water.  Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these promote dehydration.

2.      Close your blinds and curtains during the day to block the sun’s heat.  Open the windows at night to let the cooler air inside.

3.      Cool your house down with fans.

4.      When possible, avoid using heat sources such as the oven, stove and dishwasher.  The most common sources of internal heat are appliances, electronic devices, and lighting.

5.      Take advantage of the shade.  Daytime air temperatures can be 3 to 6 degrees cooler in tree-shaded  neighborhoods.

6.      Check window and door frames for any hot air leaking in and seal them with caulk or weather stripping.

7.      Replace you’re A/C unit’s intake filter once a month to allow for greater airflow.

8.      Use the exhaust fan in the bathroom when showering to remove the humid air.

9.      During peak heat hours, find a cool spot to run some errands or catch up with friends.  Go to the mall, coffee shop, library, community pool or movie theater.

10.   Don’t forget your pets!  Our furry friends can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburns too.  Make sure they always have fresh water and shade.  Don’t over-exercise them and never leave them alone in a parked vehicle. 

STAY COOL AND HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!