Staying cool in the summer months

Today is the day when the sun reaches its most northerly point in the sky for the northern hemisphere and that's what we call the summer solstice. At exactly 4:59pm you'll be able to experience this magnificent event welcoming the summer season, at least in good ol' Southern California. With that in mind, it's also time to prepare for the heat to come. Actually, it's already here. Today is one of the hottest days of the year so I'm sure that many have turned on their air conditioners to keep cool. Remember that doing this affects our environment by releasing harmful chloro-fluoro-carbons (CFC's) which damage our ozone layer. There are several ways that you can keep your home cool in an environmentally friendly way, so make sure that you make use of these great tips! Keep the heat out by closing drapes and window. You'll reduce the amount of heat in your home, therefore requiring less energy to cool it. If you have window or ceiling fans, use them instead of the AC. When you do use your AC it's recommended to keep the temperature at about 25 degrees C or 77 degrees F. Also turn off the AC once your home has reached a comfortable temperature and of course when nobody's home. When cooking, use your range fan to vent the hot air out of your house. Have some cold water or lemonade. It's amazing how this can keep you cool if you didn't know! If you have a pool, take advantage of it and have some fun! Wear clothes that breathe, like cotton or linen. You can also minimize what you wear at home too!