Finding what works to stay cool
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We shall never be content until each man makes his own weather and keeps it to himself." Jerome K. Jerome (1858-1927) -- English author "The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow, On the Weather." (1889).
Q: We just moved here from the Midwest and are getting ready for our first Las Vegas summer. I must admit that stories about the Vegas heat are legend, and we're a little concerned. I'm hoping you can give us some suggestions about how to help combat that in our home. What would you recommend as some decorative ideas that will look good and help with the heat.
A: First off, congratulations on moving to the most exciting city in the world. And secondly, you should be concerned about the heat. This is my 10th summer and I'm still concerned; and every year I discover some other little secret to make my life a little happier in the summer.
In addition to using your air conditioning responsibly, there are some things you can do to help keep the heat out and your cool air in.
You must have every window covered, and keep the coverings closed. Pick your covering depending on how much light you require and, of course, pick it to go with your décor. The market today is full of window coverings -- fabric, wood, plastic, you name it.
Depending on your budget, you can find a lot of options for your window treatments. I would recommend that you pick treatments that allow you to adjust the amount of light and consequently the amount of heat you allow in when you are at home. This will give you more flexibility as the heat subsides or increases in one part of your yard, i.e., morning and afternoon sun.
According to Nevada Power, having a ceiling fan in your room can lower the temperature substantially. Just getting the air moving is a huge help and fans are an excellent complement to air conditioning, as well as being good looking. I would put one in every room. There are many styles, finishes and price points to choose from. I would even recommend putting a free-standing fan in rooms too small for a ceiling fan, such as bathrooms. You will really appreciate that air movement when you're trying to get dressed in the morning. For instance, stepping out of a hot shower and then blow-drying your hair will heat you up before you step out of the house (Sometimes, the A/C is just not enough.)
If you have area rugs on tile or hardwood floors, take them up for the summer. Bare feet are much happier on cool wood or tile than on wool or silk rugs. Just removing the rugs also will lighten the whole room, making it feel cooler.
Consider switching your bed coverings to a lighter fare. Heavy damask or silk linens just weigh down a room in the summer. They're wonderful for cooler nights, but in the summer, perception is close to reality when it comes to heat. If a room looks cooler, you will feel it. Also, if you have hanging bed curtains on a four-poster bed, remove them until next winter. Or, conversely, exchange them for a lighter, ethereal treatment.
And, as much as I love pillows and throws on sofas and chairs, put them away for the summer. You can welcome them back when the temperature cools off.
As you go through your first summer, you will find other ways to keep your home cool. But begin with these ideas, they work.
For energy-saving tips, visit www.nevadapower.com. You also can request an energy audit of your home.
Note: While these are not for inside spaces, you might also look into sunscreens for your windows and doors, as well as rolling shutters such as Rolladen. Both are reputed to be energy efficient and help to reduce heat entering your home.
Carolyn Muse Grant is the editor of Southern Nevada Home & Garden magazine. Her Inside Spaces column appears weekly in the Home & Garden section of the Review-Journal. Check out other decorating tips in Southern Nevada Home & Garden magazine, which is published the first Saturday of each month. Send questions to cgrant@reviewjournal.com.
