When it comes to getting the most of your home and your health, planning ahead is always a good idea. Most of us accept this as a fact of life; we begin to plan for the worsening weather that comes with fall in July, and we begin our Christmas preparations in September. Yet for some reason, few of us put aside the time to truly prepare for summer.
Why is this?
There are numerous reasons why this might be the case, but the most obvious is also the nicest. Simply put, we don’t prepare for summer because we only prepare for things that we think need preparing for. We know we’re going to have to prepare for worsening weather in the fall because we’re dreading dealing with that weather; we prepare for Christmas because our family finances need us to. But summer? There’s nothing we’re dreading or worrying about there– summer is the season of fun, frivolity, and carefree hours spent enjoying the sunshine. There’s no way to plan “just have fun!”, so we don’t.
For the most part, this is fine– summer should be enjoyed, and an element of spontaneity never goes amiss when considering the summer months. However, there is one thing that should be prepared for: a heat wave.
Understanding heat waves
There is no specific, agreed-upon definition of what a heat wave is, but most of us know what the term means. Essentially, it’s a period of high temperatures — usually approaching or exceeding 100F — which will peak, with the weather eventually fading back to average temperatures for the time of year. However, there is no temperature point in which a heat wave is officially announced or categorized; it’s simply a sustained period when temperatures rise far above normal.
The chances of experience a heat wave very much depend on where you live. The southern states are particularly prone to the issue, as are the Carolinas, California, and Oklahoma. Outside of these areas, a severe heat wave may not be probable, but it is possible, and that means that adequate planning for such an event is a good idea wherever you live in the country.
Why do heat waves need to be prepared for?
If you’re not convinced that you need to prepare for a heat wave in the same way that you do other adverse weather conditions, then consider these factors:
- heat waves can come from nowhere; they can develop in a few days due to a sudden shift in climatological conditions. If you decide to only prep when you receive notice on an imminent heat wave, you could have a very short period in which to deal with the issue. Considering that some of the best methods of coping through a heat wave involve installation and pre-planning, this is less than ideal.
- heat waves are legitimately dangerous. As so many of us enjoy the sunshine and warm temperatures, we don’t view the threat of overheating the way we do the threat of being too cold. However, heat waves can have a similar death toll as snow storms and cold snaps; cases of sunburn can become severe; and issues caused by sunstroke and dehydration can render you ill for days.
- When a heat wave hits, it’s too late to prepare for it– you’re stuck in the eye of the storm, uncomfortably warm, but unable to safely do anything to ease the issue.
Due to these three reasons, if you want your house and your body to survive through any heat waves the summer of 2018 may have to throw at you, preparation is the key. If you start your prep now, then when a heat wave actually hits, you’ll be eternally thankful for your foresight and consideration.
Here’s an overview of what you can do to help you, your family, your pets, and your home, survive the heat waves that the summer may bring.
1) Focus on meeting water needs
During heat waves, water is absolutely essential. Dehydration is always a threat through the summer months, but when the temperature suddenly spikes, the issue is all the more pertinent. While you can usually rely on water from your taps to help slake your thirst, what happens if the heat wave coincides with your home suffering a plumbing malfunction? Such nightmare scenarios can and do happen, so it’s worth stockpiling a few bottles of drinking water to ensure you’re protected against any such nightmare scenario.
It’s not just the humans of the household that are going to need water, either. If you’re a gardener, you will likely be familiar with how wonderful your garden is in summer, but you’ll also know the relentless demands for water are particularly tough to keep up with. If a heat wave hits, you’re going to need to ensure that your beloved garden is well-tended with an irrigation system from the likes of Atkins INC. The last thing you want to have to do during a heat wave is walk around with a watering can, so plan now for an automated system that ensures your garden makes it through any weather the summer has to bring.
2) Cooling systems
The next step of preparation should be to ensure you’re going to be able to cool your home. There are, obviously, various ways to do this:
- HVAC systems are excellent at maintaining a steady, cool temperature, but they are also expensive.
- Desk and floor fans can help circulate air, but studies have suggested they can actually make a room hotter rather than colder.
- There are many “old wives tales” type tricks that you can use to keep your home warm, but realistically, they’re not going to be sufficient for a heat wave.
As you can see from the above, your main consideration will be whether or not you want to pay for an HVAC system to be installed in your home. There’s no doubt they are the most effective method of cooling your house– but there’s also no doubt they cost.
If you do want to explore the fan idea or indulge yourself with a few old wives’ tales, then you can do, but it is vital you keep in mind these are in no way guaranteed to work. If a heat wave is reaching blisteringly hot temperatures, then you’re going to need something more substantial to cope. Part of this decision depends on where you live; if your state frequently experiences dangerous heat waves, then an HVAC system could make all the difference to your enjoyment of summer. If huge heat waves are unlikely in your area, then you may be fine to manage with fans.
If you already have an HVAC system, then you will want to get it serviced prior to the onset of summer.
Installing a HVAC system, or having an existing one maintained, are expensive– there is no denying that. However, this further solidifies the reason to start planning for heat waves now. You’re giving yourself time to organize your finances and, if you decide to go ahead, you have several months in which you can save the money you need for your regular AC maintenance services to keep your AC unit working properly without ending up costing you unnecessary expensive repairs during the heat waves.
3) Management of sunlight
During heat waves, sunlight is the enemy. Not only can it cause painful skin burns, but it will also be responsible the warmth of the air and — most importantly — the warmth of your home.
It is a good idea to begin the search now for methods of shielding your windows from the sun’s glare. Here’s a few ideas for how you might wish to achieve this:
- Outdoor shades and parasols can be arranged to shade the entire window.
- Plan to use a black material or fabric to cover the windows during the hottest hours of the day.
- Window shutters are one of the most effective ways of keeping the interior of a house cool, but they are expensive, so you’ll need to ensure you manage your budget to prepare for the cost.
- Thermal blinds are not the most effective way of shading your windows, but they are better than nothing at all, so it’s worth the investment if you dislike — or can’t manage — the options above.
It’s not just the windows of your home that you have to shade, of course– it’s important to plan for how you’re going to keep your car cool. You can use windshield shades or, better yet, invest in a carport that can provide all-year weather protection.
By starting to think of which of the methods above you wish to utilize, you can be sure you have everything in place by the time summer rolls around.
4) Your behavior
Finally, one of the best things you can do to prepare for a heatwave is modify your behavior. When news of a heat wave breaks, many people head to the seaside or plan a day out with the kids so they can make the most of it. These choices, however, are not ideal; they’re good for a warm day, but not one that is hot enough to be called a heat wave.
Instead, promise yourself that you will restrict physical activity, drink plenty of water, and avoid direct sunlight should a heat wave arrive. Heat waves are a part of life and, hopefully, you can see the benefits of planning ahead– even if that means beginning your thinking while there’s still snow on the ground!
About Jammie Morey
Speak Your Mind