Remember the comfort of a roaring fireplace, hugging a cup of hot cocoa with a warm blanket wrapped around you? Yeah, neither do I! With the heat we’ve been experiencing across the GTA this summer, all I want to do is dive into a pool or into a room with the AC blasting. Fortunately for me, my home has both of those things, but not everyone is so lucky. With the temperature climbing up, here are some ways you can cool down this summer :

Get Your Float On

Love being out in the sunshine, but don’t love the heat? A pool is the best of both worlds! You can lounge on an inflatable bed, swim some laps, and still enjoy the sun rays while keeping cool. If you own a home and are lucky to have viable space in the backyard, you have a few options. You could either spend big bucks and have a pool installed, under ground or semi above ground, (which, depending on different variables can cost between $10,000 to $100,000) or, you can save some money and get an above ground pool (which on average cost between $600 to $3,000).

The only downfall with above ground pools is that most must be torn down at the end of summer and built up again for the next year when the time comes. If you’re up for breaking a sweat before diving in, this could be your best option if you are looking at getting a pool from a financial perspective.

If you are currently looking to rent, and feel like you’ll need to take a dip, thankfully there’s a huge selection of apartments with swimming pools across the GTA. Exploring what amenities your building has is a great way to build a sense of community with the other residents. Get together, get friendly, and make a splash.

To AC, or Not to AC?

That is the question. Of course, the answer to this is yes. The pool is a good option for the daytime, but what about those sleepless nights, tossing and turning because it’s just too hot? This is where air conditioning is extremely helpful. Now, you don’t want to run up your hydro bill during the summer months, so you have to be careful with how you use your AC.

Some ways to save money include leaving the temperature the same throughout the day as too much adjusting will influence your bill. Another way to keep costs down is to only have the air on when you are home. If your house will be empty during the day, consider turning the air off, or setting a timer for it to go on an hour before you get home, so you can relax and feel a cool relief when you step inside.

If you’re not a homeowner, it’s important to look into rentals with air conditioning before you sign a lease, especially if sweaty summer nights are not your thing. If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, it’s a good idea to look early in the season for one you can install in the window, because they sell out fast. It might not cool down the entire unit, but that little bit of extra air flow will make a huge difference for the room it is placed in.

Go Exploring

Have you recently moved into a new area and feel a little disconnected from your community? Good news, the summer time is huge for community events, many of which are held indoors, where it’s nice and cold. Visit your local community centre, library, recreation facility, and more places around town to get connected with your neighbourhood and beat the heat. To make sure you’re always chilled, the city of Toronto has cooling centres set up around the city so that no one has to suffer the heat and face the negative effects of the sun. If you’re looking for a way to get out of the house and out of the heat, but aren’t so keen on mixing and mingling, the movie theatre is the place for you. With the lights dimmed, the air conditioning on high, and a surround sound system, you’ll forget all about the heatwave outside.

Summertime is a great time to get outdoors, take in some Vitamin D, and get together with friends after a cold and dreary winter. But, if staying cool is your goal, follow the three options above to help you chill out. Like all seasons, summer won’t be here forever. You might as well enjoy it, even if it’s from the comfort of an air-conditioned room.

3 Ways to Beat the Summer Heat in Your Home by Nancy Savio | zoocasa