Happy first day of summer! I always savor this day . It's my favorite season and I look forward to meandering at the summer festivals, enjoying iced tea on the deck, and savoring those perfect nights when the sky is clear, the stars are bright, and the fireflies are flashing.
One thing about summer, of course, is that it tends to get pretty hot outside...and that heat can easily transfer inside if we allow it. Just like cold winter weather can damage our homes, hot, humid summer weather can wreak some havoc of its own.
Hardwood floors can buckle in humidity. Art, books, musical instruments, and furniture can be damaged as well. I've seen sofas permanently faded from sunlight streaming in from a window. I've seen books falling apart from humidity. Food in your cabinets can melt (watch that chocolate) or go stale.
The good news is, there are so many things we can do to keep the heat and humidity out so we can keep our homes fresh and cool, and prevent our possessions from damage. Here are a dozen ways...
1. Block out the sun: Don't allow sunlight in your home during peak times. Windows pull in 25% of your home's heat. Pull down/close shades/blinds when the sun is streaming in.
2. Run the air conditioner: If you have air conditioning, take advantage of it. Set your thermostat so the air comes on once your home gets to an uncomfortable temperature. Don't forget to change the filter when needed to keep your air conditioner running efficiently and effectively. Shut the doors to rooms that are unused to confine the coolness where it's needed the most.
3. Use your fans: Fans help circulate air. Ceiling fans are particular good, but remember to turn them counterclockwise.
4. Get, and use, a dehumidifier: Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air
5. Insulate your attic and walls: Doing so keeps the cool air in and the heat out...and has the opposite effect when the weather is cold. At that time, it keeps the warm air in and the cold air out.
6. Use charcoal: Hang these charcoal air fresheners in closets. They're very absorbent and pull moisture
out of the air.
7. Take advantage of the evening breeze: Open windows at night. During some summer evenings, you may be able to get a wonderful cool breeze blowing in.
8. Turn off the oven: Try to keep the oven off during this season. Use your stove and outdoor grill instead. The oven tends to make the entire house warm which is counterproductive to keeping your home cool. If you want to bake, do so at night.
9. Run your clothes dryer and dishwasher at night: Both of these give off significant amounts of heat, so run them during the cooler evening hours.
10. Fix any leaks: If you notice any stained, wet spots on your walls or an irregularly high water bill, you may have leaky pipes. It's so important to have those fixed. You may want to have pipes wrapped to prevent condensation. In addition, keep your gutters clean...they're often the
cause of indoor leaks.
11: Make an "Ice Fan": So, you’ve already got fans around the house, but it still feels tropical? Why not try putting a tray of ice (or an ice pack) in front of the fan? As the ice evaporates, the air feels a lot cooler!
12. Avoid steam: Keep the bathroom as cool as possible. Take tepid showers instead of steamy ones, as steam creates humidity. If you have a window in the bathroom, crack it open as you're taking your shower, and open it wide once you're dressed to allow that humidity to escape. Also,
before you begin showering, turn on your bathroom fan.
The above tips will help you to keep your home the cool, relaxing haven that it should be. Enjoy today and all of your summer days ahead!
