Summer parties mean outdoor cooking, good friends, and fun times. However, excess heat and humidity can throw a damper on the festivities, no matter how well you’ve planned it. While it’s not possible to keep outdoor living areas as controlled and comfortable as indoors, there are steps you can take to make the gathering and the guests the focus of the event—not the weather.
Here are some ways to help keep summer parties cool:
Start later in the day.
As the sun sinks, the outdoor environment becomes more enchanting and party-friendly. In summer, daily temperatures typically peak at about 4 p.m. and have dropped considerably by 8 p.m. Timing the festivities to coincide with more agreeable temperatures helps ensure guest comfort.
Don’t make fire the focus.
Fire pits and large barbecues are great for creating atmosphere and good eating. However, in the heat of summer, they may be too much of a good thing if the seating or layout of the event crowds guests too close to the flames. The same is true for outdoor kitchens that typically generate lots of surplus heat. Allow enough room for people to circulate away from sources of excess warmth.
Keep the indoors cool.
Guests should have a cool place to go to escape the heat outdoors, if they need it. Make sure your A/C thermostat is set to the comfort zone and keep doors and windows in the house closed to preserve the air conditioned environment and make it a welcome refuge.
Got shade? Use it.
If your outdoor setting includes a nice tree canopy for shade from the summer sun, organize the event so guests can benefit by staying under it. Later in the afternoon as the angle of the sun changes, even the shade provided by a house or other structure can help. Also, strategically deploy patio umbrellas or rent a party canopy available at most rental centers.
Enjoy summer parties and stay comfortable with more advice from the folks at Paitson Bros. We’ve been keeping summers cool and fun in Terre Haute since 1922.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Terre Haute, Indiana about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 812-645-6859.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922