BEATING the heat is a breeze with one pro weighing in on air-conditioning mistakes and other tips to keep your cool.
He even recommended a new twist on an old faithful, the hot water bottle, to keep temperatures comfortable at home.
James Longley, managing director at Utility Bidder is a pro at lowering costs of utility bills.
He advised strategically opening a few windows.
“Just like in winter cross-ventilation is key, and we advise opening different windows around the house in small doses which will let any breeze flow through,” he said in a statement.
“Also, the later at night it is, the more windows you can then open ready for a cooled home to wake up in.”
Longley shared several more tips to keep cool without breaking the bank.
He recommends turning off fans when not in use, as they typically just recirculate the air.
For air conditioning, he has a different approach.
“It is also important to note that lowering your thermostat drastically doesn’t cool your home faster,” he said.
“Air conditioning units won’t typically operate at a consistent pace and lowering your thermostat as low as possible will just mean it is working for longer.
“Instead, you should gradually lower the temperature in small bursts until you hit the sweet spot you want.”
Longley included six cost-effective tips to ensure a cooler home in the hotter months.
First, he advised keeping windows and blinds closed during the day to keep out the circulation of hot air.
He added that you could open the windows at night when temperatures cool to wake up refreshed.
Longley also included a hot water bottle tip.
“Whether you’re working from home or struggling to sleep because of the heat, fill your bottle with cold water and place it in the fridge for one to two hours,” he said.
“This will then provide you with a cooling method that will help lower your body temperature for a considerable amount of time.”
For his third tip he said that staying hydrated is key to beat the heat.
Additionally, when opening windows, he implements a special technique to get the most out of it, spraying curtains with cold water.
“This trick will hopefully create cooler air in the bedroom and help you to sleep better,” he said.
Longley suggested taking cooking outside for a barbecue due to heat from appliances like ovens.
Finally, he added that applying a cold, damp washcloth to pulse points could help you cool off.
