Summer in New England makes me think of many pleasant things such as bike rides, ice cream, and my personal favorite: swimming holes. As summer approaches I am also thinking about cooling costs. With many people still paying off their winter heating bills it seems unfair that we should have to pay additionally for cooling costs, doesn’t it? Well then just don’t!

There are many ways to keep cool this year without turning on that loud, humming, power sucking window AC unit:

Drink water. Not soda, not juice, not lemonade. Water. Staying hydrated is probably the best way to beat the heat as it aids in your body’s natural cooling ability. Water is by far the best thing to drink as anything sugary can actually reduce your cell’s ability to absorb water.

Find a breeze. Open some windows or turn on a fan if you need to. Sweating alone doesn’t cool you down, it’s the evaporation on your skin that does the trick. Moving air helps make this process more efficient.

Take a dip. Find your favorite swimming hole and take a dip. Water conducts heat away from the body 25 faster than air. An hour long swim in cold water can help keep your body cool for several hours, even after you’ve dried off. Don’t know of any local swimming holes? Find a pool, tub, or better yet find one at www.swimmingholes.org (my personal favorite is Buttermilk Falls in Ludlow, VT).

Go to the movies. Think of all that money you’re saving by not running the AC and treat yourself to a film. Go during the hottest part of the day (early afternoon), eat as much popcorn as you like but don’t forget to skip the soda.