STAY COOL — WARM WEATHER HASN’T RUN ITS COURSE JUST YET
There are several economical ways to ward off late-summer heat at home, writes Vicky Sanderson.
Think the slide into September means the dog days are over? Don’t count on it — Environment Canada is predicting higher than normal temperatures over the next few months across much of the country.
Cranking the central air conditioning may be the fastest way to combat hot and muggy weather. It’s not the only way, however, and it may not be the healthiest solution.
A 2004 International Journal of Epidemiology report (academic.oup.com) suggests occupants of office buildings with air conditioning report more nose and throat irritation, breathing difficulties, irritated skin, headache and fatigue.
There’s also evidence that air that’s too cool, or too much exposure to it, can exacerbate symptoms of low blood pressure and arthritis.
One way to achieve a cooler, drier environment in the home is to invest in ceiling fans.
Hunter (hunterfan.com) is a well-known brand, founded by John Hunter, who invented the ceiling fan in 1886.
By 1941, they were being introduced to U.S. army hospitals, vastly improving conditions for both wounded soldiers and the medical workers who tended them.
Today, Hunter’s SIMPLEconnect smart ceiling fans can be turned on with location-based triggers, and can be synced to a thermostat to maintain consistent temperature. TIP: If you buy a fan with Energy Star designation, you can use 40 per cent less energy than a conventional model. And remember that as fans don’t cool a room, but rather the occupants, switching them off when you leave saves energy. For more tips, go to aroundthehouse.ca
Hot weather and dirty air can be a double whammy for those who suffer from allergies. Both a short-distance fan and an air purifier, Dyson’s Pure Cool Me may be a solution.
The small, rounded unit — designed to sit on a desk, end-table, or nightstand — removes 99.97 per cent of pollutants in the air, including bacteria, mould, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and allergens as small as 0.3 microns.
The sleek, curved design has a purpose, apparently. When jets of air meet on a convex surface, they converge to create a high-pressure core that creates a precise stream of air.
The unit has 10 settings, oscillates 70 degrees, and can be a controlled by a magnetized remote that conveniently clings to the machine.
A screen icon indicates when it’s time to change the high-efficiency filter, which should be about once every 12 months, based on 12 hours of use every day.
Filters for this unit, which launched in March, will be available within the next few months, and will sell for under $100, according to a Dyson customer service rep I called.
Take note that while the unit is pretty quiet, it’s not silent. One of my daughters suggests this may be a plus for people like her, who sleep better with white noise.
It comes in black and sliver, and sells for $450. For retailers, go to www.dyson.com
To stay cooler at night, opt for natural cotton and linen sheets that will “breathe” better than synthetics and help wick moisture away from the body. Ditto for sleepwear. On really hot nights, spritz sheets and pillowcases with scented linen water to dampen them slightly.
If you’re renovating or doing a new build, it makes sense to consider a skylight, because it can enhance the “stack effect.” The Wikipedia explanation of that is that because hot air rises, it will vent through upper windows, which in turn reduces pressure on lower levels and allows cooler outdoor air to be drawn in through windows and other openings. That process lowers the temperature and increases ventilation, which is essential to a healthy home.
Velux (www.velux.ca) sells exceptionally well-made and designed skylight options, including solar-power, electric-powered and manually operated units for both peaked and flat roofs. An indoor climate control system monitors temperature, humidity and CO2 levels, closes windows in inclement weather, and adjusts blinds on a timer.
Final tip: If late summer heat gets to you, close you eyes and think about February.