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According to a study from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), air conditioners account for a full 6% of U.S. power consumption. It’s an enormous quantity, and a big challenge for these involved with world warming. This large consumption is compounded by the truth that air-con models use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to supply their cooling energy. HFCs are well-known pollution which might be a significant reason behind a few of the greenhouse gases that result in local weather change. In reality, a 2016 energy accord between 200 countries addressed limiting HFCs due to their harmful standing.
However, it’s vital to remain cool since excessive warmth can even threaten well being. So what’s the reply? Here are a couple of suggestions from ChooseTexasPower that you would be able to simply use to beat the warmth and tame the canine days of summer time whereas shedding the air-con.
These cool hacks ship methods for preserving physique temperatures down even when it’s blisteringly scorching exterior. This won’t solely make you are feeling higher and assist decrease power prices, nevertheless it would possibly maintain you from getting sick, too.
Body Hacks
These are lively methods you possibly can stay cool utilizing your personal biology to your benefit.
Eat Light and Spicy
Some hacks on your physique embrace tips like consuming small and lightweight meals. Most of the warmth you generate comes from the act of digestion. The chemical reactions essential to interrupt down meals can raise your internal temperature by 2 degrees. Foods that make it easier to replenish electrolytes — like watermelon, peaches, apricots, and radishes — will let you cool off extra simply, whereas fried and overly salted meals will dry you out.
And whereas it appears counterintuitive, spicy meals will really cool you off, elevating your inside physique temperature and making you sweat (the evaporation of which is the organic model of air-con). That’s why so many scorching local weather cultures produce spicy delicacies.
Stay Hydrated
Your inside cooling system runs on water and electrolytes, and these are misplaced whenever you sweat. Make certain you’re consuming loads of cool drinks. Coconut water, for instance, is nice due to its excessive electrolyte content material. And keep away from espresso and alcohol as a result of these can dry you out (although there are some beers that claim to keep you hydrated, too).
Wear Light Clothing
Obviously, carrying gentle clothes is an efficient plan, however some materials may help you retain cool by wicking sweat off your physique. Many pure materials like gentle cottons and linens have properties that make you are feeling cooler and switch warmth and moisture from the physique.
Pressure Points
There’s a science to preserving your physique cool that features icing pulse factors and making use of strain to factors on the neck and shoulder which have been proven to decrease blood strain. Some additionally swear by acupuncture when in search of methods to chill their physique.
Home Hacks
You could make some small modifications round the home to assist create a cool setting.
Fan Placement
Having a fan is an apparent step when not utilizing air-con. But there are methods to control your setup to get one of the best out of your followers. For instance, you possibly can put one in a window blowing scorching air out as one other blows cool air in. Or go old-school and fill a pan with ice and have the fan blow air throughout it.
Window Treatment
Making certain your home windows haven’t any leaks is vital for each summer time and winter to avoid wasting on power. And if you happen to decrease your blinds, you retain direct daylight to a minimal, making any room cooler.
Lights and Electrics
Anything plugged in provides off an quantity of warmth that may construct up. Take the time to unplug something you possibly can. Also, switching to LED bulbs just isn’t solely good on your power prices (and the setting) but in addition reduces warmth by 75%.
These easy tips will let you keep cool whereas reducing your reliance on air-con. Ultimately, that’s going to be higher for the planet and your pockets.
Feature picture courtesy of Shutterstock. This article was initially printed on July 31, 2017.
