How to Survive in an Apartment During Heat Waves: 6 Tips

Trying to find shelter at home from the heat, we gathered recommendations that actually work. We also explain why some tips from the Internet seem questionable to us: scroll to the end.

Don't Open Windows

It might seem like opening the windows will make your home cooler. But in reality, you're just letting hot air into the room. It's more effective to close the windows and turn on the air conditioner. To prevent sunlight from entering your apartment, close the windows with curtains or blinds.

Ventilating the room is best in the early morning or late evening, when the air outside isn't so hot.

What if You Don't Have an Air Conditioner?

Use a fan: place a container of ice in front of it. The airflow will be cooled by the melting ice. The only downside is that you'll need to replace the melting ice periodically.

This is also a great way to humidify the air in your apartment. If you have a humidifier, use it more often — this also helps. The same goes for daily wet cleaning of your apartment.

Turn Off the Towel Warmer

If possible, turn off the hot water supply to the towel warmer — the bathroom will become cooler. This can be done if you have a separate valve. If you don't, plan for one during renovation: it's convenient.

Change Your Textiles

If you have carpets at home, it's better to remove them and send them for cleaning: they heat up significantly and collect dust.

Replace your bed linen with linen or cotton: it's less hot to sleep on, and it allows better air circulation. Silk is also ideal in hot weather, although it has a drawback — it's expensive.

Replace Incandescent Bulbs with LED

Incandescent bulbs heat up so much that you can get burned if you touch them. LED light bulbs don't emit as much heat. With them, your home will feel much cooler in the evening.

Use Less Electronics

Naturally, you can't completely stop using electronics. But for example, don't leave the TV and computer on all day, and instead reheat food in a microwave rather than on the stove.

What Do Internet Tips Suggest?

• Apply window tinting or foil. This tip is interesting but questionable: in cloudy weather and autumn, you'll likely want to remove it all. Also, protective film often doesn't come off easily and can damage the glass.
  
• Hang wet towels around the house. This might cool the apartment slightly, but it looks strange and unattractive. It's simpler to use a good humidifier.
• Fill the bathtub with cold water. Of course, this won't cool down the entire apartment, and how much water would you have to use every day? Keep in mind that a full bathtub requires about 160–200 liters of water.