Think about installing adequate air conditioning units so you don't die from the heat!

I live in western Washington where the average summer temperature is about 70, but we're having a drought and in the middle of a heat wave. It's quite the shock to the system after 7 very cool wet summers to be hit with 90+ degree days one after another after another. We just got our AC unit installed in the bedroom, but it's not enough to keep the whole house cool. I'm almost tempted to buy another before we roast to death....

Wimps. We're all wimps. I live in a 1910 house in Tucson where we recently had a week of well over 100 degrees (which made me glad I don't live in Phoenix). I often wonder what the first owners of the house did in the summers. Maybe they made personal evaporative coolers by wetting themselves down and sitting in front of a fan. ;-)

grover, in 1910 they didn't have the asphalt we do today that holds and traps the heat like we do today.

Good point, hayley. But they also had no relief. It's not like they could go to the movies or McDonald's to cool off.

Anyway, to the homeowner, double or triple-pane windows, large overhangs, and start fast-growing shade trees today.

Keep roof and siding colors lighter too, to help reflect heat.