Top 10 Ways to Beat the Heat While Using Portable Cooling Units
Central air conditioning is the most expensive cooling option on the market, which is why many consumers are turning to portable cooling solutions. If you have a portable air conditioner or an evaporative air cooler, there are some other small tricks that can maximize your cooling experience.
Invest in a ceiling fan
Ceiling fans are fabulous for cooling bedrooms or living rooms if you already have a portable cooling option in place, This will help to distribute the cool air from a portable air conditioner or increase the circulation required while using an evaporative air cooler. A ceiling fan is much more powerful than a floor fan and doesn’t take up any floor space. Additionally, did you know that a ceiling fan should be set to run counter-clockwise during the summer?
Freeze your sheets at night
This article has a few great suggestions for beating the heat. Freezing your bed sheets right before you go to sleep is just one great idea they suggest.
Pack your freezer with ice
Having ice on a hot day can come in handy in so many ways. A fresh supply of ice will keep your drinks refreshingly cold, and you can always create an ice pack and place it on your head, neck, or feet.
Another great use for ice is adding it to an evaporative air cooler as it will greatly increase the cooling effect if you add ice to the tray.
The Honeywell CO25AE 52 Pt. Indoor/Outdoor Portable Evaporative Air Cooler is a prime example of an air cooler that will keep you cool—and will offer even greater cooling with the addition of ice.
Keep your blinds closed, especially if you face west
If you live in an apartment that faces west, you already understand this important tip. The sun is hot enough already in the summertime, especially when it shines directly into your home. Rooms with west-facing windows are hardest to deal with since the sun beats down on these windows beginning at about 1 p.m. until sundown, which is after 8 p.m. in most places during the summer. The strongest portable air conditioner, evaporative cooler, or even central air conditioner cannot completely tame the intense heat caused by direct sunlight, but it can be mitigated by closing your blinds on those windows that face west.
Lower the lights at night
If your place is already hot, you might find that some indoor lighting and lamps add to the heat at night. Check your place to see which light sources produce the most heat at night and try to use the ones that emit the least amount of heat.
Choose cold soup over hot soup
Soup lovers many find this switch to be a tough one, but there are many delicious cold soup options. One popular soup for the hot summer days is the tasty and refreshing gazpacho soup. But there are many other cold soup choices that will help you make it through the remainder of the hot summer.
Keep a cool watermelon handy
Watermelon is a wonder food to eat in the heat, and according to this article you can even place a cool piece on your forehead during hot days or nights. It is an extremely hydrating fruit and is especially refreshing to eat in the summer.
Take frequent cool showers
This might not be the most original method of keeping cool, but it is guaranteed to work (at least temporarily).
Wear natural fibers
If you've invested in a few pieces of clothing that are breathable, you've already won half the battle against the heat. Many stores sell synthetic fibers that don't breathe. Synthetic fabric will make you unnecessarily uncomfortable. This is an excellent article on what to look for when purchasing clothing for hot weather.
Maintain your portable air conditioner or evaporative air cooler
No matter which portable cooling solution you've chosen for your home, the other tips for beating the heat will be more effective if you ensure that your cooling unit is cleaned regularly, the relevant filters are changed, and you follow all instructions in your unit's operating manual.