merlin / alex glow6d ago

Totally pancaked today by a sudden Bay Area heat wave, lingering back pain, & yesterday's excursion. Finally awake & gonna make some cold-brew fridge tea for tomorrow 🤤

I've lived on top floors with no A/C for 10+ years, including weeks above 90°F. Here's my personal list of tips for dealing with it: https://alexglow.notion.site/Hot-and-cold-weather-tips-cb035e7dc3d849b7b1d95f9483177062

⚠️ As with all my "public notebook" pages, it's a cobbled-together WIP with many sources, specific to my situations/experiences – NOT universal. Double-check pls :)

Hot and cold weather tips | Notion

Staying cool in a heat wave: Tips I’ve picked up while living on several top floors with no AC during heat waves, and hiking & camping in hot weather (including deserts) on various occasions.

alexglow on Notion
Show threadmerlin / alex glow

FWIW, I didn't include many recommendations like "go somewhere else", because these notes are mostly about handling a high/low temp situation.

Also, if you've read the whole thing and have new tips from personal/professional experience, or corrections from an expert source, I'd be interested :)
Otherwise, this is not a #SolicitedAdvice post.

Mar 18 at 7:02amWeb
Show threadDr. Unabart  5d ago
@alexglow Swamp coolers work well though I always get a sore throat after the first night of use. They sell cheap electric versions that have swappable ice gel packs that last a few hours per pack. But, like clockwork, the sore throat. It goes away a few hours after waking up, like “welcome to swamp cooler season, bucko!”
Show threadmerlin / alex glow4d ago

@Unabart Eep! I definitely get a sore throat from moving air (via fan or wind).

I have one of those little electric ones, though I haven't actually resorted to using it yet... it's comforting to have further options, y'know? But I'll keep that side effect in mind 😮

Show threadTim M5d ago

@alexglow All great advice, but I'd add re: "Cover windows" - we cover windows on the side of the house the sun is shining but uncover and open windows on the opposite side (tracking this during the day) to encourage the flow of cooler air.

Oh and Barmah brand of aussie airflow hats can be folded into a bag to make it easier to keep/store/carry etc
https://thehatcompany.com/collections/barmah-hats

Barmah Hats

Show threadmerlin / alex glow4d ago

@schmerg Ooh, that's a good one :) The temp curve at my current place is offset by shade, so thankfully it's cooler inside until evening hits. When it's close to crossover, I just open everything up.
Last place had a lot more window-juggling!

Thanks for the hat rec, btw. My old mesh-sided Henschel packed down like that, but I lost it & they weren't selling a similar model anymore 😭 Will have to look at these when I inevitably lose the current one~