Melbourne is notorious for its blistering summers, where hot days can blur into one another. If they’re having trouble staying cool, here are some simple tips to keep them level-headed at home and when they’re out and about.
Read on for 35 easy tricks to help them keep cool and survive this summer!
1. Stay Hydrated
The intense rays from the sun make them more dehydrated than normal. Extreme dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. Make sure they have lots of water and plenty of electrolytes to keep the body replenished.
2. Insulate That Water!
By using a double-walled insulated bottle of water, they can not only stay hydrated but keep cooler. Simply fill the bottle with cold water, and it will stay cool for hours.
Some insulated drink bottles promise 25 hours of cool water. Drinking water that’s cold will lower the core body temperature while maintaining hydration.
3. What Not to Drink
One final point on beverages. Caffeinated and alcoholic drinks are both diuretics, meaning they help the body get rid of salt and water, which can leave them dehydrated on a hot day. This doesn’t just apply to hot tea and coffee but also to a nice cold beer, soft drink, or energy drink.
So, be sure not to overindulge in caffeinated and alcoholic beverages on a hot summer day. Have a glass of water instead!
4. Turn Off the Gadgets
Is the room feeling stuffy? Everything from the TV to the computer emits heat when in use and even on standby. Whenever they don’t need a gadget, turn it off at the appliance and the wall switch to eliminate the extra heat.
5. Turn Off The Lights
Light bulbs don’t just give off light – they also emit plenty of heat! If they don’t need lights for the current activity, consider switching them off to reduce indoor temperatures.
6. Install LEDs
Energy-efficient LEDs are a great option for the home, and if they’re already running the air conditioning, they’re going to want to save energy.
If they need to have lights on at home, LEDs will use less electricity and give off less heat than iridescent bulbs, fluorescent globes, and other older options.
7. Say No To Ovens and Stovetops
Baking a big batch of muffins. Boiling water for a bowl of pasta. Cooking a full English roast.
All of these options sound mouth-watering, but they also create extra heat in summer. Consider firing up the BBQ or cooking less heat-intensive meals this summer. Swapping hot veggies for cold salads is an easy way to use the oven and stovetop less.
8. Maintain Airflow
Don’t have evaporative cooling, refrigerated air conditioning, or another cooling system?
Just because they don’t have an air conditioner, it doesn’t mean they won’t be able to keep their space cool. A closed-off home can have an oven-like effect as the sun’s heat gets trapped in the space. If they don’t have an AC, open up all the windows and doors to properly circulate the air in the home. And maybe consider installing one before next summer!
9. Cotton it Up
Cotton is more than just a cozy material. Cotton is also renowned for excellent ventilation and airflow. Wear loose, lightweight cotton clothes and swap the polyester sheets for cotton linen to stay cool and comfortable. Other natural materials may also be suitable for the clothes and bed sheets.
10. Say No to Cuddle Time
Some of them love cuddling up, especially when they’re in bed. But in the height of summer, it might be best to refrain from this affectionate activity. For a full eight hours, sleep separately and prevent themselves from absorbing extra body heat on those hot summer nights!
11. Never Sleep Nude
They don’t mean to be crude, and they’re certainly not prudes, but in summer, they should never sleep nude!
It might be surprising, but wearing clothes while they sleep actually allows their sweat to evaporate more effectively, which cools them down. Once again, cotton sleepwear is the way to go for a good sleep on a hot night.
12. Consider a Less Fluffy Pillow
While they’re still in the bedroom, it’s worth mentioning that lighter, less fluffy pillows will allow heat to escape around the head, helping to keep them cooler. They might love sinking into an all-encompassing pillow, but in summer, consider swapping it out.
Also, remember to turn a sweaty pillow to the cool side – it will give them instant relief, and it will also feel much less nasty!
13. Pets Sleep Separately in Summer!
Speaking of fluffy, the cuddly, four-legged friends are better off sleeping in their own beds during summer. Telling the partner they can’t cuddle might have been easy, but kicking out the dog, cat, or bunny rabbit might be a bit harder!
Still, it will be better for both of them when they’re not absorbing each other’s body heat! On that note, keep an eye on signs of heat stroke in the pets, including excessive panting and drooling, wide eyes, skin that is hot to the touch, twitching, and vomiting.
14. Work Out (an earlier exercise routine)
Working out before bed can help them sleep better at most times of the year, but they should avoid anything that makes them hot or bothered before bed. So, consider moving the exercise routine to earlier in the day.
15. Eat Light
Everyone loves a hearty meal, but heavier dinners take longer to break down, and the core temperature will increase while the body is metabolizing.
They’re already dealing with heat sweats, so try and avoid those meat sweats! Switch to legumes, fruit, and veggies to shed that extra metabolic heat. And while they’re at it, treat themselves to ice cream for dessert!
16. Shut Away the Sun
The sun is unbearable outside, and they don’t want to bring it inside. If they’re indoors for the day, keep the blistering light out with blackout shades. Shielding the room from the sun helps insulate the cool air within the room while keeping out the heat.
Even if they don’t have blackout shades, it will be beneficial to close any curtains, blinds, shutters, or window coverings that they have, especially while the AC is running.
17. Don’t Hesitate to Insulate
In the long term, it pays to install insulation in the ceiling, walls, and under the floor. Products like thermal batts and foil sheets will keep out the heat and help the air conditioner work better. They can almost halve the energy use with effective insulation, and it helps them to stay cool in summer and warm in winter, so this investment is sure to pay for itself!
Also, consider double-glazed windows or retrofit double-glazing to add extra insulation to the windows.
18. The Next Step Is to Seal Gaps
Even if they can’t afford full-blown insulation, it will be beneficial to go around the house and seal gaps. Look for gaps around doors and windows and between the bottom of the wall and floors. Sealing these gaps will keep warm air out and prevent cool air from escaping when they run their air conditioner.
Use draught excluders, caulking, sealing tapes, and similar products.
19. Take It Easy Outdoors
Enjoying the great outdoors is all part of the Melbourne summer experience. However, it’s essential to take the weather into consideration before doing any outdoor activities. If they’re exercising, remember that they might not be able to go as far or as hard in hotter temperatures. Try to stretch in a shaded area before they begin, and drink plenty of water.
This also applies to any other outdoor activities – from lazing away at the beach to playing backyard cricket to enjoying a picnic. Listen to the body, drink plenty of water, and call it a day if they’re beginning to feel overheated.
20. Driving Around? Look for a Shady Spot!
Whether they’re driving to the shopping center, the beach, the park, or the ice creamery, remember that the best parking spot might not be the closest one but the shadiest one. A car that’s sitting in full sun can quickly heat up and will be incredibly unpleasant when they get back into it.
In lieu of a covered spot or a shady tree, be sure to put a sunshade on the windscreen to shave a few degrees off the interior of the car and give themself a respite from heat.
21. Go For a Dip
Head to the local pool, the nearest beach, or any other safe body of water and go for a swim. A quick dip in the water is sure to cool them down. Just remember that swimming can still be exercise, so don’t overexert themselves. And just because they’re in the water, it doesn’t mean they can’t get dehydrated – so keep up the fluids.
22. Be Brave. Have a Cold Shower
Cold showers… They either love them or they hate them! But in summertime, they might just be a lifesaver. Cold showers or even cool showers are a great way to lower the body temperature, especially right before bed.
23. Just Dip the Toe In (or the foot!)
Cold feet might be a nightmare the night before the wedding, but they can be a dream in the summer heat. If they can’t quite stomach a cold shower, try dipping the feet in a cold bucket of water or in the bathtub. Cooling down the feet can be a great way to make the whole body feel cool.
24. Give the Pulse a Rest
If they’ve really got the finger on the pulse of summer cooling tricks, they’ll know this next one. Applying cold packs, wet cloths, or other cold products to the wrists, neck, and temples can help to cool down the whole body. These are the points where they can commonly feel the pulse, and it’s a surprisingly effective cooling technique.
25. When Heat Goes High, They Go Low!
Hot air rises, so if they have a multi-story house, they spend as much time as they can downstairs. Sitting on low chairs and couches or lowering the bed frame can also have an effect.
26. Control the Luscious Locks
Long hair can be like a built-in scarf, which is great in winter but not so good in the warmer months. If shaving the head sounds a bit extreme, just pull out a scrunchie or a hair tie and keep the hair tied back and up.
27. Dress for the Occasion
They’ve already mentioned cotton, but merino wool is another great option for summer clothing. Choose lighter fabrics but darker colors because darker shades will absorb the heat while lighter colors will bounce it back at them.
For outdoor activities, remember the sunglasses and the hat. If they’re staying indoors or the activity doesn’t call for skin-tight clothing, wear loose clothes for greater comfort and air circulation.
28. Beware the Office Chair
Keeping cool in the office can be difficult, especially if they’re not allowed to touch the thermostat. One thing they can do is choose an office chair with an open or mesh backing. Compared to a solid chair back, a mesh backing will allow for greater breathability and comfort.
29. Catch a Movie
Not all summer days out involve sweltering in the sun. Movie theaters are dark, and the air conditioner is almost always running. Throw in one of those absurdly oversized soft drinks, and they’ve got themselves the perfect activity for a summer day.
30. Pull Out the Hot Water Bottle
They read that right. They said the HOT water bottle. They’re recommending this one because they can actually fill and freeze most hot water bottles.
They already know they have excellent thermal insulation qualities, so the not-so-hot water bottle will stay cool for plenty of time, making it the perfect hot weather hack. It can even be better than an ice pack!
31. Act Quickly If They Sense Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be nasty and even deadly in extreme heat. If they or a loved one is feeling a bit off, don’t just put it down to a little bit too much sun. Headaches, heat cramps, nausea, a rapid or weak pulse, low blood pressure after standing up, excess sweating, fainting, and dizziness can all be signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
If they notice the signs, get themselves or their loved one to a cool place. To beat the heat wave and heat exhaustion, elevate the legs, drink plenty of water, and also use cold water to physically cool down the body.
32. Be a Fan of Smart Fan Use
Fans are not a replacement for air conditioning systems, but they can be a great complement to the AC if used properly. First and foremost, make sure the fan is set to summer mode. Many fans can also be reversed to suck up cold air in winter and keep it at the top of the room. But in summer, they want the fan to push air around.
Once the fan is in the right mode, consider using it alongside the split system or air conditioner. It can circulate the cool air of the AC around the room faster than it would otherwise spread. If they have multiple fans, they can put them at various positions in the room to create a cross breeze and promote even better air circulation.
Even if they don’t have an air conditioner, they can try putting a tray of ice in front of the fan, which will cause the air the fan distributes to be cooler than usual. Melted ice will turn into cool water, which will transform the fan into a mister or spray bottle! Remember that fans on their own are no replacement for a cooler. They actually create false comfort because while the movement of air might make them feel colder, the air itself (and the body temperature) won’t be any colder. But when used in combination with the above techniques, the fan can definitely be useful.
33. Close Those Doors Or Open Them
Depending on how they’re cooling the home, it’s important to either keep the doors closed or throw them open. For rooms that aren’t being used, closing the door can trap heat in that room and prevent it from spreading to the rest of the house. If they’re running the split system, be sure to close the doors to the room it’s located in for effective space cooling.
If they’ve got an evaporative cooler, they’ll need to open some windows or external doors to allow air to constantly circulate. If they don’t do this, the evaporative cooler could send the humidity through the roof.
If they’ve got a refrigerated system, external doors and windows stay closed. But if it’s a central cooling system and they want to cool multiple rooms at once, make sure all the relevant internal doors are open for even and effective cooling.
34. Use The Trusted Air Conditioner
When all else fails, and they need a cool retreat from the heat, the air conditioner is the perfect way to escape the sun. There are many ways to keep the air-con running without raking up the electricity bills.
Two easy steps they can take are setting the correct temperature (don’t set it too low) and cleaning and maintaining the system regularly (professional maintenance every 2-3 years).
35. Contact Australian Climate Systems
Are they ready for summer? With Australian Climate Systems, they can install the perfect cooler for the Melbourne home. Whether they’re looking for split systems in Blackburn, ducted air conditioning in Dandenong, or multi-split air conditioning in Templestowe, they can help them.
Australian Climate Systems offers heating and cooling repairs, services, and installations in Melbourne, and they work with all the pioneering brands. So, if they’re after evaporative cooling repairs, Rinnai air conditioning services, or LG air conditioning repair, they have their cover. And that’s without mentioning Brivis, Bonaire, Daikin, and all the other favorite brands!
