Summer heat can be a wonderful thing, especially following the cold, dreary winter months that have kept you cooped up in the house. And yet, it can seem like you’ve barely gotten to soak up the vitamin D before the soaring temperatures hit triple digits and drive you back indoors. After all, you’re probably not keen on the idea of scorching your skin or flirting with a heat stroke. On the other hand, you don’t necessarily want to jack up the AC all summer long, either, significantly increasing your energy bill, not to mention your environmental impact. So if you’re looking for a few ways to have some summer fun without the aid of air conditioning, here are some options you’ll definitely want to add to your summer to-do list.
1. Water sports
Depending on how adventurous you are, there are tons of water sports that could give you the opportunity to cool off during the summer months. Swimming is the obvious answer and you can do it anywhere, from public pools to local lakes and rivers to the ocean, depending on where you live. And of course, you can take family or friends with you for a fun and relaxing day of dips to beat the summer heat. You can also float the river in an inner tube, go rafting or kayaking, or even get crazy with a day of cliff jumping if you happen to be an adrenaline junkie. Want to stay home instead? Fill your tub with cool water and take the plunge or join your tots in the kiddie pool in your backyard.
2. Add some foliage
Planting flora and fauna around your home can offer several benefits, not the least of which include a beautiful landscape to look at, screening from neighbors (and noise), and extra oxygen. However, abundant plant life can also help to keep down the temperature in and around your home. Tall trees, for example, can shade your home and your yard, allowing for cooler temperatures throughout the summer. This means you can leave the AC off and enjoy summer cookouts without roasting yourself. And if you go with native and drought-resistant plants you can conserve both energy and water.
3. Hit local attractions
Did you know that many public buildings are not only air conditioned, but they also offer free or discount attractions? While you might normally pay a pretty penny to visit nearby museums, you should know that most offer regular family days when patrons can come for free, giving you a chance to beat the heat and enjoy a fun, free activity, to boot. You can also hit up the local library for a cool, quiet place to have a virtual summer adventure. In the meantime you can leave your own AC off.
4. Picnic at the park
You don’t have to go far to get away from your stifling house or the glare in your treeless backyard. Simply head to a nearby park for the chance to lay out a blanket under a shady tree, have a little picnic, and perhaps play frisbee with your dog. Better yet, find a park that has water spouts going for the kids so you and Fido can take a refreshing run through the sprinklers, so to speak.
5. Build a basement retreat
The best way to get out of the summer heat, day or night, is to create a comfortable and inviting basement that requires no AC to keep it cool. While you can certainly try switching from r22 to r410a in a bid to reduce your refrigerant use, the environment is better off if you don’t crank your AC at all. So take the time to create a basement retreat that provides you with respite from the outdoor temps and you can stay cool without the aid of air conditioning all summer long.
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