Are You Too Hot?
@GardenGerty (160949)
United States
June 23, 2016 8:08pm CST
Okay, quick check if you are too hot.
Is the pilot light on your heat source shut off if it is gas powered?
How hot is your hot water heater set for? Is it gas? Turn it to 120 F. You also help prevent accidental scalds.
Do you cover your windows to keep out the sun?
I have heavy curtains over the bedroom windows. Those four rooms each have an air conditioner, plus we use fans.
We have four wall furnaces in our house. They are fueled by natural gas.
Two pilot lights were shut off months ago. However, I found one this morning needed shut off. I have not checked the fourth one, but will tomorrow. I suspect it is still on. Hubby was not sure he had shut it off.
I have two hot water heaters. . . house used to be a duplex. One of them was not turned very high, but I turned it down to a lower temp. The other one was turned as high as it would go. . . turned it down as well.
I try to get a good breeze going through the mid portion of the house that is not air conditioned. We only cool the bedrooms we use. So we cool our bedroom when we sleep. The others only if we are doing a project in them, or if we have company.
The two bathrooms have a window each, over the tub. One is in the east the other in the west. I find that if I keep the shower curtains closed we do not gain heat from those windows, either.
I like to hang clothes outside, so the dryer does not heat the house.
Do you have some hot weather ideas for us to share?
8 people like this
10 responses
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
24 Jun 16
more than one curtain. if you have central air shut the vents in the rooms you aren't using. Bake during dark hours, or use the crock pot more, and lots and lots of fans
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
24 Jun 16
The crock pot is my friend, and so are small appliances and the grill. I do have more than one layer of curtains on each bedroom window.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
24 Jun 16
@Jessicalynnt Honestly I need some more fans, then the ice cubes or even ice packs would be great. I am looking at doorways now that need doors in them. I like the suggestion by @Juliaacv of tankless hot water heaters.
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
24 Jun 16
@GardenGerty I also try to be sure doorways have towels at their bases, and chairs have sheets or towels on them, one can also put ice in a bowl in front of the fan to help move cooler air
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51359)
• Canada
24 Jun 16
These are all good tips.
Although we enjoy a breeze that may come our way during the over night hours, we are quick to close those windows and pull the shades before the sun rises on the east facing windows of our home.
We limit the coming in and out of the house also, as you do carry hot air on you when you come in.
We have a tankless hot water system, so no worries there, it is designed to heat the water once, for the consumption and then shuts off. Amazing how little you spend on natural gas with one of these in your home.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
24 Jun 16
If I start saving money now, when these nearly new hot water heaters pass I can get tankless. Might be a space saver as well.
I am amazed at how much cooler my house is this morning with just shutting down pilot lights.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (52079)
• Philippines
24 Jun 16
I just drink water and get used to the electric fan i have.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50525)
• United States
24 Jun 16
We have ceiling fans everywhere except the kitchen and bathrooms.
@shivamani10 (11035)
• Hyderabad, India
24 Jun 16
Why don't you try black curtains? Pls. see.... that is posted in the discussions.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
24 Jun 16
My curtains are dark colored and I put extra layers up. Some people put blankets on their windows and on doorways between rooms.
@shivamani10 (11035)
• Hyderabad, India
24 Jun 16
@GardenGerty Black curtains will not be black in color. They got their own advantages.
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
24 Jun 16
In our bedroom , we put a heavy curtains over the lacy curtains we use on the side of our bed where the sun from the east in the morning would shine so brightly into the room .
During the day when the sun isn't going inside the bedroom anymore we take away the heavy curtains and instead have the lacy curtain be in place . That way it will be bright , yet not hot anymore .
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jun 16
It makes a big difference if you pull the curtains BEFORE it gets to the hottest part of the day. We open the house up early then close it all up as much as possible once the day starts to warm up. These are all good ideas of yours.
