Beating The Heat During The Dog Days Of Summer

We are in the throes of the dog days of summer, and the heat is here. Dog days generally refers to the period between early July and September, when the hot, sultry weather of summer is at its peak. It’s also widely acknowledged that the oppressive heat of the dog days leads to lethargy and stagnation of activity.
So why do dogs get singled out? They aren’t the only creatures uncomfortable in the stifling heat and humidity. According to various mythological sources, the dog in question is actually the dog star, also known as Sirius. Merriam-Webster.com states, “The star has long been associated with sultry weather in the northern hemisphere because it rises simultaneously with the sun during the hottest days of summer. In the ancient Greek constellation system, this star (called Seirios in Greek) was considered the hound of the hunter Orion and was given the epithet Kyon, meaning “dog.” The Greek writer Plutarch referred to the hot days of summer as hēmerai kynades (literally, “dog days”), and a Latin translation of this expression as dies caniculares is the source of our English phrase.”
At any rate, when the dog days of summer set in, we all want to take refuge from the heat however we can. This makes your home or business air conditioning system even more crucial. We count on it to keep us cool and comfortable. Unfortunately, air conditioning systems work their hardest during the dog days—the more heat and humidity, the greater toll on your A/C. So, it’s imperative that you keep your A/C maintained and in top, working condition. Cleaning or changing your air filter and making sure your system is fully charged are two places to start and a complete system tune-up is always a good idea.
The licensed professionals at Dixie are ready to take care of all of your home comfort needs. Call us today.