Tips for beating the heat

Heat can be dangerous, which is why it is vital to be prepared. Having plenty of water to drink is imperative and don’t forget our pet friends will need extra as well. Here are other tips that can help you keep the discomfort of hot weather to a minimum.

Use fans to feel up to six degrees cooler and give your air conditioning unit a break. Remember: fans cool people, not the air!

On hot days, grill or use small cooking appliances like an air fryer or instant pot instead of your oven or stove.

Close shades on sun-facing windows to keep your home cool.

Just like updated weatherstripping can keep cold air out in the winter, it can also prevent warm air from leaking into your home. Seal cracks with caulk or apply weatherstripping on doors and windows.

For efficient cooling, consider a heat pump. Heat pumps not only heat your home, they can keep it cool in summer as well. For information on PUD heat pump rebates, visit snopud.com/cooling.

Take advantage of the heat from the sun to save energy! Instead of firing up your clothes dryer, hang laundry outside on sunny days.

Keep your thermostat at 78 degrees during the day and 84 at night.