When the steamy, hot days of summer have you wanting to run for the nearest pool or ice cream truck to chill out, there’s not much else you can do but wait for the heat to cool down. So instead of sitting around and complaining, follow these six eco-friendly ways to keep cool in the summertime.

Don’t use the oven. A 100-degree day is not the time to make an apple pie or bake some macaroni. By sticking with cold foods, you’ll keep your kitchen and the rest of your house much cooler. Using the oven consumes energy, and while cooking at a temperature of 350 degrees for an hour ends up costing you only about 16 cents, according to Best Buy, those numbers can add up over time. When thinking in terms of the environment, firing up the oven on a super hot day doesn’t do any good for the air quality, either. So stick with cold sandwiches, or get creative and make a cold soup on those hazy days of summer.

Become friends with ENERGY STAR. Investing in a ceiling fan from the company can save you $15 per year on your utility bills and is 50% more efficient than regular ceiling fans, according to ENERGY STAR. A “box fan” in your window can also keep the air moving through your place.

Go to public places that have air-conditioning. If you’re not utilizing AC at home, that doesn’t mean you can’t go seek out public places that have it on full blast. Sure, it’s like leeching off someone else’s air, but if you’re not using it at home, you’re decreasing the impact on the planet all the same. Going to a restaurant or store for a break from the muggy heat of a non-air conditioned dwelling place might bring you back to heat-related sanity, at least for a while.

Use city pools. Save water and money by going to city pools instead of buying your own. Most offer cheap daily rates, or require you to purchase a recreation membership that includes gym access as well. Taking advantage of the cheaper options in your city will help you stay cool when a dip in the pool is the only thing that sounds good.

Pack your glass with ice. Ever notice how when you eat ice cream or a Popsicle, your body temperature drops and you feel a little cooler by the time you’ve emptied the bowl? Well, ice water has the same effect. Drink a glass and your body may be better equipped to handle the heat. Putting ice cubes on the back of your neck can also cool you down.

Keep your windows closed during the day. If you keep the shades drawn and the windows closed during the day, opening them up at night will allow the slightly cooler night air to sweep through your home. Leaving them open while you’re sleeping will allow the air to circulate and cool down the rest of the house, so you wake up in the morning to a not-so-stuffy environment.

All in all, there are many ideas for staying cool and staying true to the planet this summer when temperatures are blazing. What do you do to hide from the heat?

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Tags: Healthy Living