According to a study from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), air-conditioners account for a full 6 percent of U.S. energy consumption. It’s a huge number, and a large issue for those concerned with global warming. This massive consumption is compounded by the fact that A/C units use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to provide their cooling power. HFCs are well-known pollutants that are a major cause of some of the greenhouse gases that lead to climate change. In fact, a recent energy accord between 200 countries addressed limiting HFCs because of their dangerous status.
However, it’s important to stay cool since high heat can also threaten health. So what is the answer? Here are a few tips from ChooseTexasPower that you can easily use to beat the heat and tame the dog days of summer while laying off the air-conditioning.
These cool hacks deliver strategies for keeping body temperatures down even when it’s blisteringly hot outside. This will not only make you feel better and help lower energy costs, but it might keep you from getting sick, too.
Body Hacks
These are active ways you can remain cool using your own biology to your advantage.
Eat Light and Spicy
Some hacks for your body include tricks like eating small and light meals. Most of the heat you generate comes from the act of digestion. The chemical reactions necessary to break down food can raise your internal temperature by 2 degrees. Foods that help you replenish electrolytes — like watermelon, peaches, apricots and radishes — allow you to cool off more easily, while fried and overly salted foods will dry you out.
And while it seems counterintuitive, spicy food will actually cool you off,…
