7 Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning

For all of its beautiful beach weather and clear, blue skies, summer can be downright miserable when we’re stuck in the heat. And some of us suffer from chronic conditions that intensify or flare with the heat. And this doesn't even touch the challenges of a warming planet. Here are 7 ways to cope.

1. Cool the House Down at the Right Time of Day

Take advantage of the cooler air that generally comes in the evening and sticks around into the morning. Open up as many windows as possible to get the air moving through the home or use a couple of box fans to help with the air exchange. Just be sure to close everything up before the mid- to late morning as the heat starts to rise, or those open windows will let all that cool air escape as soon as it gets warm out.

2. Use Cold Water and Ice

Does the place get too stuffy when the windows are shut? Try hanging a damp sheet in front of an open window. The evaporation will cause a cooling effect that can change the temperature of the room, depending on the size and whether there is direct sun or not. It’s important to keep wet items away from outlets, electronics or any surfaces the damp materials might damage, of course, but a cool, damp sheet can really work wonders.

Ice can also help. Try placing a big bowl of frozen cubes in front of the fan. This won’t cool the whole room, but it can take a few degrees off the fan’s breeze and help make it more bearable when it feels like all the fan is doing is moving hot air around.

3. Soak Feet in Cold Water

We can’t cool off in the bath or shower all day, however pleasant that sounds, but the feet can periodically be soaked in cold water to help draw heat out of the body. We lose a lot of body heat through our feet—witness: the importance of good boot sin winter—so, likewise, a great way to cool off in the summer is to cool our feet. A good, cool foot soak may also be a helpful means of combating the effects of heat strain.

4. Use a Cooling Blanket

Some materials are cooler than others, and some are even made specifically to keep us comfortable at night. A good cooling blanket will start at about $40, but prices can vary dramatically depending on the make and materials. But for the most part, these heat management blankets can help grant a cool and comfortable sleep which can be particularly difficult when it's hot.

5. Try a Cooling Hat or Towel

Cool off in style and turn it into a fashion statement. Cooling hats come in several varieties, even cowboy hats and hardhats, and they really can make the heat more bearable by drawing heat out of the entire body through the head. Most work by evaporating water, if a hat isn't for you, consider a cooling towel for the neck or even cooling wristbands.

6. Install Window Film or Blackout Curtains

A well-tinted window can reduce the amount of heat that enters the home by 80%. As an aside, tinting also reduces ultraviolet light by up to 99%, protecting carpet and furniture from fading. Best of all, blocking out windows reduces cooling costs by 40%, conserving energy. If tinting doesn't appeal, try blackout curtains to create the same effect and to cool rooms dramatically.

7. Go Energy Efficient

Lower costs even more by reducing the air leaking in through doors and windows. If it’s unaffordable to replace windows entirely in favor of more-efficient versions, make effective use of caulking weatherstripping. Take the time to visit every window and make sure it's sealed properly at every edge and that it closes with a good seal. Replace caulking and weather stripping as needed. Want to do even more? Energy.gov has some great advice on sealing out the elements and keeping the home cooler throughout the summer.

The summer heat can be bothersome, and for some even dangerous, so it's important to be proactive for comfort and wellbeing both. But have heart, it’s possible to beat it. The home might not get Arctic cold, but it’s possible to stay comfortable enough through the hottest days, even without A/C.

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