With the real heat of summer hitting most of us this weekend you might already be thinking about cranking up the AC. But, for those of us who don’t have air conditioning—or, are choosing to use it as little as possible—there are some creative ways to stay cool during the hot summer months.
5 Ways to Stay Cool without AC:
Close Your Windows
Yes, you read right “close” your windows. “It may seem counterintuitive, but on hot summer days, opening the windows will often make your home warmer, not cooler,” writes Good Housekeeping. Open your windows when night falls, when the air outside is typically cooler than the air inside, and let cross-ventilation cool your home. However, be sure to close the windows (along with blinds and shades) before the sun hits your house in the morning.
Create Your Own Cool Breeze
If you angle a bowl full of ice (or an ice pack) in front of a large fan, the air “whips off the ice at an extra-chilled, extra-misty temperature,” writes the Huffington Post. Another hint: Use a metal bowl to hold the ice—it keeps things even cooler.
Freeze Your Water
An Apartment Therapy reader suggests freezing a 2-liter bottle of water, putting it in a pillowcase and holding it to your chest like a teddy bear. “Cooling down the central core will cool down the extremities as a result,” writes Novalis. “My roomie calls them ‘ice babies’.” This trick works even better with a hot water bottle.
Choose Cotton
The light, breathable feel of cotton is not only good for summer clothing (& PJs), but summer bed linens. “Save the ooh-la-la satin, silk, or polyester sheets for cooler nights,” suggests Greatist.com. For an even cooler effect, dampen a sheet or towel in cool water and use it as a blanket.
Get Cooking…Outside
Obviously, when the heat rises in your kitchen, it also rises throughout your home. Summer is a great excuse to fire up the grill—not only for dinner, but even breakfast (click here for some fun grilled breakfast options). In addition to using your oven less, you should also limit the use of other appliances such as laundry machines and dishwashers. “Limit these activities to the cooler times of day, like mornings or evenings,” suggests Gretchen Becker from Angie’s List.
Talk to us: What are you doing to stay cool without AC this summer?
image courtesy of flickr CC/Kevin Saff