Ways to keep your apartment cool this summer

As much as I love summer, I really need my breath of fresh air every now and then. It is HOT! When heat takes over my apartment, things get rough. And when the power is off for days at a time, that makes the challenge greater.  Who can stand an insufferable night’s sleep when the heat invades the bedroom; who can stand restless evenings and sleepless nights? But there are a few things we can do to keep the temperature down without raising the energy bill to the roof.

I was never a big fan of A/C – maybe living in Phoenix would make me feel differently about it – and looking for new ways to make the air inside my rental breathable I found out that both portable fans and ceiling fans do the job quite nicely. They can even make a room feel cooler by four degrees or more only by re-circulating air. If you use it in combination with your air conditioning system you can set the thermostat at a higher than normal setting to save on energy.

This is an electricity-free option to keep your home cooler. Another secret to a home that has a pleasant temperature is keeping the sunlight out. Normally natural light can do tons of good to our bodies as well as to a home, yet it can make staying inside unbearable if the room is not properly ventilated. Keep blinds, shades, or draperies that are facing the sun closed during the day to keep the heat out, especially if you’re not at home.

Electricity-free option #2: You could put your green thumb to work and dress up your bedroom windows in trellises, bougainvillea or other climbing plants to create shade. When you come back from work, you’ll have your own cool retreat waiting for you, inviting to relaxation and day-dreaming.

Comfortable bedding can make all the difference for a good night’s sleep in hot weather. Known for its refreshing and comfortable qualities, linen bedding is a wonderful alternative to cotton bedclothes. Your bed will be instantly transformed into a soothing refuge, where you can sit, dream and relax or just re-charge your batteries after a hot summer’s day.

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