The 10 Easy Ways to Cool Down Without an Air Conditioner

Now that we are in the middle of summer, the temperature is rocket high, which means our energy bills will probably be higher than we expected. We’ve all been there at one point or another, especially at night when we are struggling to sleep because of the hot weather. It’s awful, especially if you live in the South, where it can be a heatwave 24/7 with no chance to cool down. Unfortunately, for some of us, the heat is, well, unavoidable for most of the year and is especially bad in the summertime.

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While some might consider cranking up the air conditioner on hot days, it isn’t always budget-friendly or energy efficient to let it run all day. So, how can you keep a room cool without air conditioning?

1. Adjust Your Ceiling Fan

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During summer, you should set your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise. You may not realize it, but fans are actually supposed to be adjusted according to the season. Setting it to run counterclockwise actually makes it go faster, and the fans can create a cool effect. Your room will be cooler in no time.

2. Keep Your Blinds Closed

Although this one can be a bit obvious, keeping your blinds closed can save up to 30 percent of unwanted heat coming in through your windows. You can use shades or blackout curtains to ensure the sun stays out. Did you know that you can save up to 7percent on electricity bills and lower the temperature inside by up to 20 degrees? Yes, saving money is always a pretty good deal. Don’t let your house become a greenhouse; close the blinds.

3. Put an Ice Pack or Ice Cubes in Front of a Fan

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Yes, this one might sound crazy, but it works. This little trick can save you so much money! It’s simple, just fill a mixing bowl with an ice pack, a frozen water bottle, or ice cubes, and place the bowl of ice at an angle in front of a large box fan. The fan will then “hit” the ice and boom, you have cold air. Pure magic! It’s sort of mini DIY air conditioner.

4. Shut off the Lights

Turn off any lights you might not be using to avoid the heat of the light. You can also change your lightbulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. Incandescent lights waste around 90 percent of their energy in the heat; tossing them out can make a huge difference and can cool your home, all while lowering your electric bill! Goodbye summer heat!

5. Keep the Heat Outside!

Make sure there are no open windows. Windows account for roughly half the heat that is entering our home. Protecting your home against sun rays can do wonders for the inside since you will keep the central air. Use tinted or low-E windows that can reflect back to at least 60 percent of the sun’s heat. You can also use solar window film to help with the UV rays.

6. Make Some Popsicles

You can buy these pretty much anywhere and just put them in the freezer for a few hours, or you can make them at home. These serve as ice cubes that you can place on your forehead, hands, back, pulse points, or anywhere you need some cooling. It’s up to you! The best part about these? You can also use them as a snack any time of the day to bring down your temperature. Who doesn’t like a cold snack during the summer heat?

7. Skip the Shower, Take a Bath.

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Yes, although cold showers can sometimes keep you cool, the cold water from the bath can keep you extra cool and doesn’t leave the restroom humid. Make sure you use cold water instead of your usual hot water; this will help your body temperature adjust. Don’t have a bath? Go swimming! This will cool your body heat right down and you’ll even have a fun time doing it!

8. Use Cotton Sheets

Although silk or polyester sheets might be comfortable to some, cotton light-colored bed sheets and pillowcases can make a huge difference. Usually, cotton is very lightweight which makes it breathable and excellent for ventilation and airflow in the bedroom, giving a cooling effect.

9. Hydrate!

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Drink water! No one likes to be sweaty and hot at night, which means you need to keep your body temperature down. The most effective way to do so is by filling your body up with cold fluids. You can even add some ice and leave a water glass by your bed to cool you down if you wake up.

10. Bring out the Fans

When push comes to shove, fans will be your best friends. Buy a big box fan or a small one that twists, allowing it to hit around the room. By having air moving around, fans can create a cross breeze and level out the heat throughout the whole house. This allows the cool air to be drawn in your home and pushes the hot air elsewhere.

There you have it, our tips for staying cool when the air conditioning might not be the best option! Do you have any other tips that have helped around your home? Let us know! Let’s beat the hot summer together!

This article was originally published on July 9, 2018.


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