How to Protect Your Home When the Heat Index Soars

The Heat Index is the National Weather Service’s metric for explaining how our bodies react to heat. Heat index temperatures combine actual air temperatures with relative humidity data for a “feels like” temperature.

People say, “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” to explain the effects of humidity on the human body. When air temperatures are high, we sweat to maintain body temperature. When humidity is also high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly. When this happens, it’s harder for our bodies to cool down and we feel like the temperature is higher.

The heat index is a combination of actual temperature measured in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius. Relative humidity is the percentage of moisture in the air relative to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at that temperature. These factors produce a heat index value that indicates how hot it feels outside.

The takeaway: When humidity is high, it can make actual temperatures feel higher. When humidity is low, or more arid, actual temperatures can feel cooler. Follow weather reports and heat index numbers any time you plan to be outside for extended periods. Remember that children, elderly people and pets are especially vulnerable in times of extreme heat. Be prepared and take precautions when the heat index soars.

Tips for managing extreme heat:

• Dress in cooling layers.
• Stay hydrated.
• Keep out of the full, intense sun.
• Avoid strenuous activity in the hottest times of the day.

When the heat index is high, experts recommend spending time indoors in air-conditioned spaces, if possible.

It’s important keep your air conditioning system operating efficiently. Air filters become clogged over time and cause your a/c to work harder than it should. HVAC experts recommend changing filters every six months.

Don’t wait until temperatures soar before scheduling maintenance on your home’s cooling system. Get ahead of any problems by scheduling routine checks before temperatures start to climb in spring and early summer.

In addition to a/c, you can install ceiling fans in your home to improve air circulation. You can raise the thermostat setting in your home up to 4 degrees higher with no reduction in comfort.

Desk fans and box fans are helpful to cool spaces and keep air flowing when it’s hot. Position the fans so that they don’t directly blow on people so that their bodies can still be cooled naturally, by sweat.

Extreme heat can harm your landscape. Take measures to protect your lawn and garden when temperatures soar.

Minimize heat stress on your garden by planting drought-tolerant plants and layering plants under or near shade trees. Using the natural shade of trees, or the shade from structures like your house, lets you manage heat’s effect on your garden.

More tips for managing your landscape in extreme heat:

• Routinely remove weeds. This makes more water available to the plants you want to keep.
• Add a blanket of mulch around trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals, and your vegetable garden. Mulch keeps plant roots cool and helps retain moisture.
• Install drip irrigation in garden beds and containers. Drip irrigation uses less water and will help lower your water bill.
• When you water, try to do it early in the day. This will give roots time to absorb the moisture and reduce evaporation.
• Rainfall will relieve heat stress in your garden and you can double the benefit when you save rain water with a rain barrel.
• When temperatures are high, you can let your lawn grow a little taller than usual. The recommended height is between three and six inches during a heat wave.
• Protect tender plants with shade cloth. This breathable material facilitates airflow and shields foliage and blooms from damaging sunlight.

Tip: Take care of yourself while you’re taking care of your garden. Avoid going outdoors between noon and 3 p.m. Always carry water and wear sunscreen and lightweight clothing.

Just like humans, pets like dogs and cats are affected by the heat index. Protect your pets by ensuring they always have plenty of fresh, cool, clean water.

More tips for keeping pets safe during extreme heat:

• Keep your pets indoors as much as possible when the heat index is high.
• Be mindful of tender paws on hot pavement. Don’t walk your pets on hot sidewalks and roads.
• Add pet-sized shade structures to your yard to keep pets cool when they're outside.

Tip: Never leave pets alone in parked vehicles, especially in extreme heat. Heat stroke affects pets just like it does people.

When the heat index soars, so can your energy costs. Taking time throughout the year to maintain your home will help prevent unexpected high energy bills.

Follow these recommendations for saving energy:

• Install shades or blinds to reduce direct light in your home.
• Seal and insulate your home. Use weather stripping, apply caulk and sealants around windows to keep cool air in.
• Use a programmable thermostat. Manage your home’s energy use through your phone.

Keep cool air in your home in summer when you upgrade your exterior doors and replace worn-out weather stripping. This seal prevents warm air from entering your home and making your a/c work harder.

Tip: Schedule a free appointment with one of our licensed local installers. We’ll come to your home, take measurements and recommend options. During your exterior door installation, we’ll remove your old door and replace with your new one.