Keep the AC on

An older round thermostat set to 70 degrees.

iStock/koinseb

If you’re worried about jacking up your electric bill by running your air conditioner 24/7, don’t be: The most effective way to keep your home cool and the cost down is to leave it on all day. Our expert found that it takes more energy for your air conditioner to reboot after being turned off than it does for it to run consistently at a steady temperature. So don’t worry about futzing with the power button on your way out the door.

The ideal temperature to leave your AC at→

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Plus: How to prepare for extreme heat

A graphic of hot-weather and outdoor gear, including a sun hat, mat, vest, two water bottles, and a heater on a bright red background.

Dana Davis/NYT Wirecutter

This weekend, more than 100 million people will face dangerous and potentially record-breaking temperatures, as a heat wave grips large swaths of the country. Our emergency preparedness experts have some advice for how to wait it out safely. Plus, their preferred tools for staying cool — including water bottles, fans, ice wearables, and more.

The best extreme heat supplies and strategies→

More expert advice

Illustration of a large swirl of sunscreen on a person's left shoulder.

Most people apply sunscreen wrong. Here’s the right way to do it.

Plus, a few of our favorites→

A smartphone with a pop-up notification at the bottom of the screen asking if the user wants to use a Passkey to sign into amazon.com.

Passkeys are the new passwords

Our security expert explains why you should start using them, and how to set them up→

Two photos of eggs cooking in a stainless steel pan, one scrambled (left) and one fried (right).

The secret to sliding eggs off stainless steel

It takes more than simply heating up the pan→

An overhead view of a sink with a bucket, a mini plunger, a yellow cloth, blue gloves, and a wrench on display.

Clogged sink? Put down the Drano.

The chemical cleaner should be a last resort. Here’s what to do instead→

Your daily deal: This tower fan is the cheapest we’ve ever seen it

Wayfair

Our cooling expert Thom Dunn hates tower fans — except for this one. Unlike its rickety, weak brethren, this elegant fan is powerful, energy efficient, and quiet. Oh, and it doubles as a lamp, too.

We found it for $100 off today→

One last thing: The best sheets for hot sleepers

The L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set and the Cultiver Linen Sheet Set, our picks for best sheets for hot sleepers.

Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter

There is no such thing as sheets that can “cool” in the way that an ice pack or an air conditioner can. But sheets made out certain materials, like cotton percale or linen, can be breathable enough that sweat evaporates more easily and you stay comfortable throughout the night.

After months of testing, we have a few favorites→

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If nothing sounds worse than turning the oven on right now, here are 28 no-cook recipes to make during a heat wave.

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