5 Appliances To Avoid Using During a Heat Wave—and What to Use Instead

While we enjoy the warm weather and sunshine, we don’t love the heat waves that inevitably hit each summer. Sure, you can jump in the pool or eat a frozen treat to cool off, but there are also small ways to keep your entire home cooler during 100-degree days—and many of these solutions are as easy as not pressing a button.

The key to keeping your home cool in the summer is to use heat-inducing appliances sparingly. Keep reading to learn which appliances you should not turn on during a heat wave to keep your home from heating up.

1. Oven and Stovetop

Use the heat wave as an excuse to order take-out instead of cooking a meal over the stove or in the oven. As one of the largest kitchen appliances, it’s no wonder that an oven produces the most heat in a kitchen. Similarly, stovetops, whether induction or gas, also generate heat that quickly fills an entire room.

To keep your kitchen as cool as possible, opt for smaller appliances that don’t create as much heat for cooking, such as microwaves or toasters. If you need to bake something in the oven or cook on the stovetop, use them during cooler parts of the day, like early in the morning or in the evenings.

2. Dryers

Not only do dryers release hot air while they’re running, they also let out a gust of heat when you open the door to empty out your dry clothes. Instead of running the dryer, take advantage of the weather by drying your clothes outdoors on a clothing line or inside on a drying rack.

3. Dishwashers

While it’s a sign that your dishes are thoroughly cleaned and dry, the humidity and steam from a dishwasher won’t make your kitchen any cooler during a heat wave. Instead of running the dishwasher, wash and dry dishes by hand to keep humidity in your home at a minimum. If you still want to use the dishwasher, run it overnight or early in the morning while it’s cooler outside. You can also try skipping the heated drying cycle and drying your dishes by hand after the dishwasher cleans them.

4. Vacuum

It’s no secret vacuums release tons of hot air no matter what the temperature is outside. Instead of adding to the heat and humidity in your home when you vacuum, use a broom or dry mop to clean your hard floors during a heat wave. For rugs and carpet, use the vacuum in the morning or evening while temperatures are cooler.

5. Incandescent Lights

Even if they’re small, incandescent lightbulbs produce a surprising amount of heat. In fact, around 90% of the energy consumed by incandescent light bulbs is released as heat. Consider switching out incandescent light bulbs for LED ones, especially if there are multiple light fixtures in one room, to limit extra heat. Because they’re more energy-efficient and use energy to produce more light rather than heat, LED bulbs will help to keep your space much cooler during a heat wave.