The summer heat in NYC shows no mercy. While some residents seek beach escapes and upstate retreats when the heat and humidity reaches its peak, others must learn to beat the heat in their own apartments or homes. Fortunately, a combination of self-care and home maintenance can alleviate a lot of the heat stress.

High temperatures can get you down if you don’t know how to manage them. Follow these tips to try to beat that heat in your New York residence.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is one of the leading causes of heatstroke, so be sure to drink plenty of water all summer long. And don’t rely on your body to tell you exactly when — high temperatures mean you need to be drinking water even when you aren’t thirsty. 

It is so easy to get overheated in that kind of weather, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’re feeling particularly dehydrated, seek medical care and try to replenish with a sports drink that has electrolytes.

Dress Lightly

This one may seem obvious, but it’s important to keep in mind when you may be tempted to dress in heavier clothes for professional or aesthetic purposes. Wear clothing that is lightweight and comfortable to avoid overheating in NYC. 

What you wear matters, and the wrong clothing could be the difference between a good day and a bad one. Dress light even when indoors to help you be more comfortable at a higher temperature setting on your air conditioner, reflecting on your electric bill and helping you conserve energy.

Exert Energy Earlier in the Day

Summer heat means you might need to rethink your regular routine. If you can, make sure energy-exerting activities like walking to get groceries, exercising or dog-walking are completed in the cooler morning or evening hours.

The same goes for some household tasks. If you tend to save your chores for the afternoon, try to change up your routine to take advantage of earlier morning or evening hours. Otherwise, chores that use energy, like laundry or cooking, will increase heat and moisture in your apartment in those peak hot hours.

Staying cool and comfortable is worth a little rescheduling. Morning people and night owls will have an easier time thriving when the afternoon sun is unbearable.

Improve Air Circulation

Humidity can be extremely uncomfortable, and the last thing you want is for your city apartment to feel moisture-rich. Additionally, too much humidity can damage home features like cabinets and some types of flooring and increase the risk of mold, to boot. 

What can you do? First, if you have an air conditioner, make sure you choose an efficient routine for keeping your interior comfortable throughout the summer.

Be sure to consider the long-term effects of neglecting proper air conditioning maintenance, as the cost to replace AC units can be substantial, making regular upkeep a more economical choice in the long run.

Further reduce your apartment or home’s humidity by using fans or dehumidifiers. 

Again, avoid water-intensive chores in the hottest hours. If you must take a shower midday on a hot July afternoon, make sure you have the proper ventilation in your bathroom. Vent fans will help reduce moisture and humidity in your apartment. 

Close the Blinds

Depending on where you reside, those pretty views of the city can be hard to cover up. On the other hand, the sun can make it difficult to enjoy when glaring into your loft and adding unnecessary heat gain.

Make sure you have the sun blocked from direct sunlight angles in your apartment during those peak day hours. Curtains and shades can do wonders for blocking off heat, even if you need to sacrifice some natural light. You can always venture out in the evening hours to enjoy the sights at a lower temperature.

Insulate Your Windows

Last but not least, insulate your windows. Protecting your windows will help lower your electric bill and keep that blazing heat out of your apartment.

You can cover your windows with bubble wrap or apply weatherstripping to keep cold air in and hot air out with an air conditioner. A cost-effective yet efficient way to keep cold air from escaping is to use white towels to reflect the sun’s heat. You could also tape aluminum foil to your windows to reflect the rays.

Do you own your home or apartment? You can get some insulated shutters, invest in cellular shades or install energy-efficient windows to better prepare for hot summer temperatures.

Try Some Furnishing Hacks

If you don’t have an air conditioner, a few tips and tricks can help you stay cool in hot weather.

Unplug everything you aren’t using in your house and close doors to rooms that aren’t in use. When in a pinch, sequesering off less-used spaces can make cooling with fans quicker and more effective. Another helpful tip is to set your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise so they push the air down rather than circulating it around the room. 

Beat Summer Heat in the City

NYC is known for its summer heat, but it’s manageable if you take care of yourself and prepare your apartment. Utilize these tips and tricks so you can still love where you live without getting hot and sweaty.

Author

Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated. Her real estate work has been published by the National Association of REALTORS®, Rental Housing Journal, and other online publications.

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