How to Stay Cool With No A/C

Tips for Living Without Air Conditioning Through Hot Summer Weather

Jun 10, 2008 Venice Kichura

You don't have to be miserable if you don't have air conditioning in your home. Here are some tips for staying cool...

When temperatures continue to climb, staying cool isn’t a problem if your home is equipped with air conditioning. However, for others, without this luxury, summer can be miserable if you don’t prepare.

Use Ceiling and Portable Fans

Maybe you don’t have central air conditioning, but make sure you have enough portable fans stationed throughout your house. If possible, invest in ceiling fans. Then walk around in damp clothes, allowing the fans to dry you out. Also, carry around a moist washcloth to cool off your body.

Close Your Blinds

Before going to bed at night, close all your blinds (especially those that face the eastern portion of your home.)

Going to Bed

Take a cold shower before going to bed, not drying yourself off. Splash cold water on your head, soaking your hands and feet in a bucket of cold water.

Wear wet socks to bed because cooling your feet lowers the temperature of your skin and body.

Place a fan between an opened window and your bed.

Fill up a bag of ice cubes. Then empty the bag into a large pan to let the ice melt. Position the container of ice between yourself and a fan. For the time it takes the ice to melt, your room you’ll enjoy some ice-cooled air, helping you fall asleep on a hot night.

Sleep with chilled blue ice blocks.

Fill a plastic bottle about ¾ full and freeze it. Then place it in front of a fan.

Arise Before Dawn

By getting up before sunrise and doing household chores, you can avoid the afternoon heat.

Wash your hair to cool off, letting it dry naturally.

Eat Cold Foods

Start your day with a cold breakfast such as cereal, orange and yogurt. For lunch, have cold cuts and fruits (melons, watermelon, etc.). Choose cold salads and icy drinks for dinner. For desserts, stack up on sugar-free ice cream and popsicles.

Drink More Water

Even when you’re not thirsty, drink water. Take water bottles and store them in the refrigerator. Or, better yet, freeze some ice cubes for cooling your skin.

When it’s hot outside, it’s even more important than in warmer months to keep hydrated because you need to replace fluids lost to perspiration.

Choose sports drinks (such as Gatorade) instead of soda. Because soda has high sodium content, it may not let you hydrate as well due to the diuretic quality of caffeine.

Dress Lightly

Only wear light-colored sleeveless and short-shelved light cottons and silks. For shoes, choose flip flops or go barefoot around the house.

Washing Clothes

Wash clothes on a cold setting and then hang them up to dry outside, as electric dryers generate heat.

Turn off Unused Appliances

Switch off all electrical items that you don’t need (including the TV).

Move to the Lowest Level

If you live in a multi-level house, spend most of your time in the lowest level. Chances are you don’t even need air conditioning in the basement. Station fans at each end of the room.

Get Out of the Kitchen

Rather than heating up your kitchen cooking, grill outside or eat cold foods. On the other hand, go to a restaurant and enjoy your meals with air conditioning.

Get Out of the House

If possible, leave your house in the afternoon and go somewhere where it’s cool. Go to the library or mall---anywhere where there’s air conditioning.

Finally, don’t dwell on the heat. Fill your mind with positive cool thoughts and how before long summer days will fade into fall.

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Station Fans Throughout Your House