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Monday, June 21, 2010

Some Eco Friendly "Stay Cool Without Using A/C" Tips



This summer, in trying to do my little part to be more eco conscious and responsible, (and also to give Con Ed much less of my hard earned $$$), I've decided to go the entire summer without using the A/C in my apartment.
When the weather first began to turn warm, this was not much of a problem. I was sitting in here just as cool as you please. However, as the summer temperatures are now starting to hit into the mid and high 90's, I will admit, I am starting to suffer a bit. Even having the fan blowing directly on me is not enough. Wearing little to nothing around the house helps... a little. One of the benefits of living alone is that I can wear anything I want when at home.. or not! Another one of the gifts of being single! ;) I don't even have to worry!
But still, it's damn hot in here when I move to get up and walk around. So, determined not to cave in and install the AC back in its place in my living room window, I'm gonna fight this thing. I decided to search the net and see what suggestions I could find to keep myself cool during these hot summer months without wimping out and doing it the easier, more expensive way.

I found some really good suggestions on WikiHow, and these will be the ones I try first. I already do the half naked thing, but the getting into a bathtub of cool water actually sounds interesting, and I plan to do that one next. I'm curious to see just how long my body temperature will stay cool and keep my that way in this blazing heat. Wish me luck! ;)

Here, I copied the suggestions I really liked on WikiHow

Maybe you'll find some of them useful too!

1* Ball up and soak a t-shirt in the sink, wring it out, put it on and sit in a lawn chair (or other chair that lets air through to you) in front of a fan. Re-wet as it dries. Make sure not to soak it with cold water. It can be colder than you think. Instead use lukewarm water so you get cool without freezing. Using a synthetic shirt will ensure no "wet T-shirt" look.

2* Wear a short sleeved shirt and put water on the sleeves. If there is a breeze or fan blowing on you, you can actually get cold. Use a squirt bottle, the sink or hose if outside to keep your sleeves wet. If you are outside and wearing long pants and you put water on your legs, the water will cool your legs.

3* Fill your bathtub with cool water and get in. Once you are used to the temperature, let some water out and refill with cold water. Keep doing this until you are sufficiently cold. Your body will stay cool for a long time after you get out.
# Or just soak your feet in a bucket of cold water. You can do it almost anywhere and don't have to stay in the tub. The body radiates heat from the hands, feet, face and ears, so cooling any of these will efficiently cool the body.

4* Dress (or undress) for the heat. There are several strategies to dress, depending on your situation:

** Nothing: If you're in a situation where you can go without clothes, this can be the most comfortable, natural way to stay cool.
** Next-to-Nothing: Put on a swimsuit, or wear your underwear at home.

** Summer Clothing: Wear natural fabrics (cotton, silk, linen) rather than polyester, rayon, or other artificial fibers (with the possible exception of performance fabrics).

** Wear Light Colors: Darker colors will absorb the sun's rays and be warmer than light or white clothing, which reflects light and heat. Wear natural summer clothing.

If you have any suggestions on how to stay cool as a cucumber in super hot weather, DO share! I'm dying over here!! ;D



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15 comments:

redkathy said...

Wear a sun visor or straw hat rather than a cloth hat when in the sun. Heat escapes from the top of the head and wearing a cloth hat retains that heat!

jellybelly said...

here in the philippines, it's always hot being a tropical country but more so in the summer. if it gets too hot, i spritz water on myself to cool down with the fan pointed directly at me.

Unknown said...

Humm, I do like all the suggestions about wearing little or no clothes.

Not knowing where you live, check what your relative humidity is? If it is high 40-50% or more, most of these ideas won't float the boat.

As most all ideas involve 'evaporative cooling'. And, this won't help you be cool, cause there will be too much moisture in the air for you to evaporate.

I say go to a Mall, Bar, Movie, etc. Use their AC, and be the cool Diva, you deserve to be!

Also I couldn't tell but your AC looked 'small' I you can get one the operates on 220volt current, It will use half the electricity of a smaller 110volt model.

If all else fails, you have an invitation to move to South Florida. AC---Pool---Cool!

PLU!

vettech said...

Use your freezer! Applying therapeutic cold packs to pulsepoints cools your entire body.. A lot of us ladies have those bean bag things that you microwave for heat... they work really well if you keep them in the freezer.

Azure Accessories said...

Good for you...I'm afraid I'm not that good!!!

We are moving into a rental until our house if done...it doesn't have AC but it does have two small window
AC's which we will use!

Cheers

nyc diamond district wedding bands said...

cold packs from the freezer is usually the best option to cool down as well as the spraying mist in front of a fan. These ideas will keep you cool for a while but nothing, Nothing beats an A/C!!

stlboyinwi said...

Great tips. I'll have to keep some of these in mind. I'm not quite that strong willed however I am slowly increasing the heat in my house daily. (i started the season at a 70 degree temp and I'm almost to 80 degrees as the low setting).

Colloidal Silver said...

Glad to hear that you are doing your part... I hope you can stay nice and cool(ish)

Denford said...

All you need do is come down here to Zimbabwe. It is he height of winter now and temperatures hover around the double digits, around 10-13 Celsius (don't know what that is in Fahrenheit) during the day and perhaps as low as 8 Celsius at night. Now and again, we approach zero degrees celsius at night and that tends to be a bummer.

Unknown said...

Are you Cool yet Super Diva?

PLU!

The Fitness Diva said...

thanks for all the suggestions, guys, and yes, Don, it's getting cooler by the minute!

That suggestion from Vettech is the best! The cold packs from the freezer of frozen veggies! Me and frozen corn have never been more in love! lol!
It's much easier to do that than trying to spritz myself with water or go sit in a cool tub or something.
Good call! ;)

Camille said...

Great list of suggestions. My childhood home didn't have AC and some days it would get up past 100 degrees. We would open up the windows in the evening when it started to cool down and then close them in the early morning before it would start to warm up. Also, we would keep all of the shades closed all day and use the lights as little as possible. Don't turn on the oven to bake during the hottest hours, it will heat up your house. Another suggestion is to not use hot tools for styling hair, instead let your hair stay wet after showers or put a wet washcloth on your head.
Good luck!

Michelle said...

Those are all great ideas and living in Southern Florida - believe you me I paid close attention. It is 95 to 98 degrees everyday here with extreme humidity. Even our dual air conditioning system doesn't keep up. The ceiling fans are the only thing that save us :)

BTW - love the eye candy ;)!!!

The Fitness Diva said...

Yes, Michelle.... we just love eye candy over here! I will be sure to keep the bowl full! ;)

Cynthia J. Coleman said...

Visit thee produce section and freezer section of your closest grocery store. You probably need groceries sometimes anyway, right? Is there a local park with a lake or pool- that's another way to cool off cheaply. When you shower and wash your hair(unless you're in a hurry), let your hair dry naturally. Just a few ideas are there. I;m sure you'll get plenty.

 
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