Beat the Heat: 13 Ways to Conquer Summer in Austin

With back-to-back days in triple digits temperatures, managing life in the Central Texas summer can be tricky. To help, here are 13 tips to help you conquer the blazing temps and beat the heat!

1. Set your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher.
For every degree that you lower your thermostat, you increase your bill by 3 to 4 percent.

2. Use ceiling fans.
Ceiling fans make you feel up to 4 degrees cooler.

3. Keep curtains and blinds drawn on windows that get direct sunlight.
This will help keep your home cooler.

4. Avoid using the electric or gas range.
Not only do they use energy, but they also bring heat into your home.  Try cooking dinner in a microwave/toaster oven or crockpot instead.

5. Wash clothes and dishes in the morning or evening.
Delay using your washer/dryer and dishwasher during the hottest part of the day to avoid bringing extra heat into your home.

6. Take a dip.
From Deep Eddy and Barton Springs to Hawaiian Falls and Schiltterbanh, you can still enjoy the warm weather stay cool too. Check out this list for more ideas.

7. Check out the caves.
Ever heard the saying, heat rises? Get as low as you can by going checking out the Inner Space Cavern. Deep beneath I-35, the temperatures remains around 72 degrees.

8. Get a cool treat.
If you ever needed any excuse for ice cream, frozen yogurt, or snow cones, here it is. Excuse valid all summer!

9. See a movie.
While this doesn’t involve being outdoors, we still think it counts as a cool activity. After all, what’s better than air conditioning (that you don’t have to pay for) and a great flick?

10. Avoid the hottest part of the day.
Whether you’re planning a hike or an outing to catch Pokémon, try to plan your outdoor activities early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

11. Stay hydrated.
Drink lots of water throughout the day. Pack a water bottle with you whenever you go out. Consider investing in an insulated water bottle to help keep your water colder, longer. 

12. Don’t forget your sunscreen.
Sunburns result in dehydration and make it harder for your body to cool down.

13. Remember your pets.
Make sure their outdoor spaces have plenty shade and space. Bring in them inside on hotter days. Do not leave them in the car. Avoid walking them when it’s too hot outside – test the pavement by placing your hand on it for 10 seconds, if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your pet.

Stay cool, Austin!

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