A historic heatwave is hitting Calgary and can leave Calgarians seeing temperatures in the high 20s and 30s in the weeks to come.

Here are a few tips to beat the heat this summer in your rental:

1. Keep your blinds closed during the daytime to block out the sunlight. Investing in some blackout curtains can help you stay even cooler. 

2. Adjust your ceiling fans. Make sure your ceiling fans are rotating counter-clockwise at a high speed in the summer months to push air straight down and create a cooling effect. 

3. Switch to LED lights. Swapping your incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs will not only save you money in energy costs but will also keep your room temperatures cooler.

4. Keep your doors closed in rooms you aren’t using. This will allow cool air to stay where you need it the most. 

5. Avoid turning on your stove and utilize your outdoor BBQ instead. Or take advantage of Calgary’s restaurant scene while supporting a local business. 

6. Invest in a Portable Air Conditioner. Portable air conditioners are the ultimate summer accessory requiring no tools or property alterations. They are about the size of a medium suitcase and take just minutes to install in a sliding screen window. Their small size and easy installation make them super convenient for moving from room to room when necessary.

7. Hack a Fan! Have you tried putting a bowl of ice in front of a fan? By putting ice in a shallow bowl, the fan will create a cool breeze and may be a much cheaper alternative to a portable air conditioner.

8. Cool your body down by drinking lots of water, taking cold showers, wearing lightweight cotton clothing or using a cooling neck scarf.

BONUS: Beat the Heat by taking advantage of Calgary’s many outdoor pools. Admission prices for Summer 2021 will be a $5 flat fee for all ages.

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