Ice cubes clinking in your glass, the sound of laughter in the air, and the sun shining on your face- these are the sights and sounds of summer. So naturally, people want to head outdoors for gatherings in the summer months. After all, it is what the summer is for, right? Summer parties are what the family looks forward to, and it is our job to keep the family cool and prepared. That is why Veterans AC & Heat has put together these tips to keep summer parties cool.
But as you know, entertaining in the hot months can be just too warm for your guests to be comfortable. But if you move the party inside, how do you keep guests comfortable when there are just too many bodies gathered indoors?
Veterans AC & Heat offers the following tips to bring the temperature inside the home down and keep you more relaxed at summer parties.
Summer Parties Held Outside
In the Florida heat, there are several ways you can help your friends and family keep cool at your summer party. Here are a few suggestions from Veterans AC & Heat.
Shady Areas for Hanging Out
Chances are you planned this component when you designed your outdoor area, either with shade trees or a roof over your patio or outdoor dining area. Additionally, look into installing umbrellas for more shade if you need it. Another option is to put up a permanent canopy or to raise portable shelters as needed.
Cool Beverages Add Fun and Hydration
In addition to your regular adult beverages, which can cause dehydration, stock up with bottled water in a cooler as an alternative. You can also make it more appealing by filling a large drink dispenser with water and adding sliced lemons, limes, oranges, or cucumber. Please encourage your guests to drink water by making it readily available. That will keep your guests hydrated and cool.
Fans Everywhere
One of your best bets, indoors or outside, is a ceiling fan. They are quiet and move air around, so we feel cooler as perspiration evaporates on our skin. You can also use portable fans, which can be moved around as you need them, then stored away. Fans also help cut your utility expenses. Also, providing decorative hand fans can be a fun element to add to the party décor.
Cooler of Towels
A favorite of summer party-goers is the cooler filled with ice and washcloths or hand towels. You can visit your local one-dollar store and pick up a large number of washcloths. Then wet the towels in the sink and roll them all up. Then, please place them in the cooler filled with ice. An icy towel feels excellent on the back of your neck or face when getting overheated. Also, you can add a few drops of mint or eucalyptus oil to the water for a refreshing surprise.
A Misting System for the Porch or Yard
If you really want to cool down your party guests, you can install a misting system to cool off guests or use portable misting fans. That will do the job in a hurry. Or, if you are not sure about investing the money in that, fill an ice bucket with colored spray bottles of water for self-misting.
Move Fire Features Away in Summer
People love fire pits and patio fireplaces. They are a central gathering place and a welcoming environment at parties. But when the weather heats up, it might be best to forgo the fire features unless you place citronella candles. These are a must for most Florida residents.
Hold off on lighting any fire feature until after dark and when the temperature has dropped significantly. Then be sure to move the seating options away from the fire feature to allow guests to avoid the heat but still enjoy the light and ambiance without feeling the heat.
The Outdoor Kitchen
If you have a portable barbecue grill, an excellent idea is to move it away from your primary outdoor living areas. This effort allows your guests to relax away from the ambient heat of the grill (and the chef.)
Suppose you have a built-in outdoor kitchen. Then you can create inviting seating areas away from the heat of the grill.
Schedule Your Party in the Evening
One easy way to keep your friends and family cooler without investing money in your outdoor living areas is to schedule your gatherings later in the day. With well-designed lighting and fans placed in strategic locations, you and your guests can fully enjoy your entertaining areas after the sun goes down. This allows you to host outdoor parties without worrying about the sun or heat putting a damper on your gathering.
So, we suggest you start your party around 5:00 pm so that the temperature has had time to drop a bit. Besides, then families with children will enjoy hours of fun before it is time to go.
Summer Parties Move Inside
When entertaining a large group indoors, nudge the thermostat down to 62-66 degrees to ensure comfort. That might seem chilly, but you’ll need to keep temperatures more comfortable with so many people and the oven in use. However, never drop the temperature really low and open all the doors to the home. That could end up freezing your AC unit up. Then yo9u will need to call out your local HVAC specialist for a rapid repair.
Here are a few more ideas for your indoor summer parties.
Close the Shades and Drapes
On the day of your summer party, it is a good idea to help your home stay as cool as it can by pulling all the shades and drapes closed. Then as the final hour approaches, you can open them to allow the sunlight in. Just be sure people are keeping doors shut and windows too.
Assign a Person to the Front Door
You may have attended a party where there was a person stationed at the front door letting folks in. And you may have thought it was a nice gesture. But there is a more significant reason for the greeter at the front door. You see, whether they mean to or not, people tend to hold the door open as they let folks in and let all the cool air out. So having a person in charge of the door welcomes guests and keeps the door closed between arrivals. Great idea, right?
Limit the Use of Candles
As beautiful as they are, limit the number of candles used for ambiance or use battery-operated candles to reduce heat. It sounds silly, but candles are fire, right? Too many placed around the home is one more way to heat the house and increase the risk for a fire.
Replace Weather Stripping
Before a party approaches, it is wise to have a door and window inspection by your HVAC technician. Or, if you feel handy, you can check for leaks in your windows and gaps in the door seals. Replacing the weather stripping is an easy way to keep AC inside and the warm temperature of the summer out. And it will lower your AC bill all year long. So that makes it an even better idea.
And Last but Not Least…
Whether you hold your party inside, outside, or a mixture of the two, advise your guests on how to dress. When inviting folks, simply state that they are free to wear appropriate summer clothes. Those selections should include cotton. Cotton or linen fabrics are breathable and help your body regulate temperature.
Veterans AC & Heat Is Here for Your Summer Parties
So, we hear you’re having a big group of friends and family come for a party. We are excited for you. Summer is the best time to have gatherings and celebrate one another.
That said, it would be wise to have your HVAC inspected for optimum productivity of your system. You don’t want to ruin that particular function by having your system not operating correctly. When your local HVAC technicians come out to inspect your system, they will ensure it is cleaned out and the parts are all working as they should.
Veterans AC & Heat is one of the highest-rated AC repair & service companies in the Pinellas and Hillsborough County areas. And we respond quickly to all your needs.
Contact the pros at Veterans AC & Heat to get your free summer estimate for preventative maintenance and service with a smile.
