Eco and Budget Friendly Tips to Beat the Summer Heat

16 ways to Cool while saving water & energy

Having grown up in Texas and spent most of my summers between there and the south of France, I’ve had plenty of practice testing out different tips to navigate extreme summer heat.

With the heatwave hitting most of the world, I hope these tips can help you feel a little cooler and more comfortable too:

ENERGY & WATEr-saving tips

? Line-drying laundry outside. This is obviously harder when you live in an apartment but if you can set up a drying rack near an open window that could be a good alternative or, if you need to use a dryer, using a dryer ball to cut down drying time)

? Reusing bath, dishwashing, or laundry water to flush toilets. This tip comes up a lot in eco-living Facebook groups, even though many people still consider it ‘gross’ or taboo.

? Reusing dishwashing water to keep your garden & plants hydrated

?Watering your plants / garden early in the morning or late at night to the water has time to soak in

? Using electronic appliances preferably at night & one at a time. Have you noticed how much heat appliances and electronic devices generate? I doubt you need your home to feel any warmer than it already is!

? Setting your A/C to 5 degrees below the outdoor weather is generally a good rule of thumb. It’ll cool you down while keeping your energy bill reasonable and avoid extreme temperature shocks when you go outside.

? If, like me, you don’t have an A/C, placing a damp piece of fabric in front of your fan can help amplify its cooling effects. Also, make sure you have cooler air circulating from outside. A fan recirculating hot air can be worse than no fan!

tips to stay cool & hydrated

? Keeping your blinds closed or curtains drawn during the hotter daylight hours

? Opening your windows nights / mornings to let the cooler air in 

? Using a refillable misting spray bottle (I was skeptical at first but now I love it)

? Putting cool water in a thermos (with fresh mint for a little extra flavor). 

? Avoiding intense physical activity during hotter hours (I loved the culture of afternoon siestas when I lived in Spain)

? Wearing natural, breathable fibers like linen & cotton (especially if they’re ethically & sustainably sourced + made)

? Putting a wet piece of fabric on your head, neck & wrists. I’m particularly fond of cooling towels as the fabric is extra cooling when wet. My grandfather also used to stick cabbage leaves under his hat which apparently works wonders… but that might not be everyone’s cup of *iced* tea ?.

taking climate action (all year!)

No better time than the present to take action for our planet and all those who consider it home:

? Vote for climate-friendly initiatives in upcoming elections in your area.

? Support forests & reforestation initiatives in your community & globally, since one of the many benefits of trees is that they help cool the atmosphere. Two ways I like to do this is via donations to One Tree Planted & carbon-offsetting via Carbonii (that also allows you to plant trees just by reading/viewing eco-themed content!).

… And more!

Stay cool my friends!