Some experts say we’ll be facing a warmer summer than usual this year. Since mild weather is the norm for most of us in the Pacific Northwest, it’s easy to be caught unprepared when the thermometer soars. Now is the time to think ahead and get prepared.

Choosing an appropriate cooling method can be a tough task especially when it’s cloudy and cool. When a heat wave hits many of us will finally lose our tolerance and rush off to the home center to buy an air conditioner or fan to make it through. Often these items are sold out.

Below is a quick breakdown of the different types of cooling solutions available with a bit of info on each to help decide NOW how to be set for sweltering days ahead.

How to keep cool

· Central Air Conditioning Retrofit. For most homes with a central forced air system like a gas furnace, a refrigerated cooling coil can be inserted into the existing system to provide cooling to the entire house. This can be somewhat expensive as it involves the addition of an evaporator coil outside and modification of the electrical system.

· Swamp Coolers. Throughout warmer, dryer zones like Arizona swamp coolers are very common. They use evaporating water to provide cooling. Due to the higher humidity in our area swamp coolers are not generally considered to be a good solution.

· Heat Pumps. Heat pumps are considered the most energy efficient central heating/cooling systems available. Heat pumps use refrigerant to move heat to and from the inside and outside of the home. They cool in summer and heat in winter. The savings come from the system’s ability to scour heat from outdoor air even when temps are low. The magic is in the ‘compressor’. Heat pumps are best chosen during new construction as they can take longer to pay-off with energy savings.

· Split systems. Split systems are great as ‘single room’ solutions. They are like miniature heat pumps permanently mounted high on a wall. Shorter refrigerant lines are routed through the wall to an evaporator on the outside wall. These systems are great for cooling/heating one room at a time like bedrooms. The drawback is the expense of adding an electrical circuit to the location of the system. Some homes incorporate split systems with central systems to solve ‘hot-spot’ problems.

· Window shakers. An economical system seen everywhere that involves placing a self-contained air conditioner in a window opening. These units are often removed during the winter. Be careful, they are often hard to mount and can cause damage to double pane windows. They can also block emergency egress in case of a fire.

· Portable Air Conditioners. This is my personal favorite for its cost and flexibility. Mounted on wheels for portability, these units move hot air out of the room through a hose and window opening. Most units can also control humidity and can be taken with you when you move.

· Personal Coolers. Here’s a personal cooling idea… neck wraps! Place a wet towel or two in the refrigerator. During those hot days you can make use of natures ‘evaporative cooling’ and the fact that the most effective way to cool the body is at the head. There are new technologies that incorporate high-tech cloths of various kinds including one that cools by wetting and then snapping the cloth. Check out the home center.

· Fans. Ranging from ceiling fans to oscillating desk fans and window boxes, fans offer the most affordable and natural solution of all.

On a hot day however the best cooling choice of all may be sipping that favorite ‘adult beverage’ beside the pool.