How To Cool Down Without The AC

Hearing an anecdote on how someone had to go without an air conditioner (AC) in the midst of a heatwave made me think about how people used to live without AC in the past. More importantly, it also made me ponder about how my family could keep our house cool even though we do not have a common HVAC unit. This can make it quite difficult to keep our home cool during extremely hot days without breaking the bank to pay for the high electric bill.

It is inevitable that the AC in our homes would go out of order at least once in our lives, so here are a few ways that you can keep the heat at bay without an AC in your home. 

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Keep the Windows Closed

Using blinds can help keep out the sun rays from entering your home when your AC is down. However, your blinds must be kept closed. While some prefer to have them rolled up to keep the sunlight out of the house, others like them turned downwards as it creates a dimmer atmosphere. The choice is totally up to you.

Shut the Doors

Essentially, light equals heat. It can be surprising as to just how much heat travels through the doors regardless of whether you have a storm door or screen set up. Thus, keeping your home dim and doors shut can help in preventing excess heat from entering your home. 

Fan and Ice

This age-old trick was once used many years ago when having ACs was not yet common. Putting some ice in a large bowl and then placing the bowl in front of a fan, or wherever the fan would blow across can help to create a cooling mist breeze that would be sure to cool you down on a hot day.

Cotton Sheets

Cotton is a breathable material that allows for better airflow and this is rarely found in other materials. Using only cotton sheets at night can help ensure a cooling and comfortable night. 

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans help to keep the air constantly moving that in turn cools down the place. Ensuring that the fan blades are rotating counter-clockwise in the summer helps to cool down the house even more.

Cool Yourself Down

You can also cool your own body temperature down by consuming cold drinks, wearing cooling and breathable clothes, or even apply a cold cloth to the hotter parts of your body (e.g, neck or wrist area). 

A trick I use with our rabbits is to place bottles of frozen water under their feet. If this helps to keep a fellow warm-blooded mammal cool, it could probably do the same for you.

Exhaust Fans

Exhaust fans help to divert steam out of your house while cooking or having a shower and in the same way, heat goes along with the steam out of your house as well.

Whole House Fans

More commonly found in older homes, whole-house fans are usually a vent in a hallway that when you turn a knob, opens it up and switches on a fan. This then draws all the hot air out of your house, cooling it down.

Strategic Window Opening

Even though this might differ from house to house, depending on where you live, one example that I found extremely useful was to open the windows in the mornings, when it was still cool. Then, closing them as the day gets warmer can help to keep the cooler air inside and keep our home at a comfortable temperature at least in the mornings.

Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Regular light bulbs not only consume a lot of energy, but they emit a lot of excess heat as well. This can worsen the problem of having no AC. Thus, switching to energy-saving ones can help as they do not use so much energy and hence do not produce as much heat.

Strategic Cooking 

You can also help to keep your home cool by cooking on the stove in the morning when the outside temperature is cooler or stop cooking with the stove. Other methods of cooking can also be used such as a crockpot, the grill, Instant Pot, a rocket stove, or even cook outdoors without having to heat your house up.

Permanent Shade

Examples of this include adding a sunshade to windows, covering up your porches, or even some trees. This allows less sunlight to hit your windows and make the place cooler as a whole.

Freeze Up!

Even though it might sound bizarre, freezing your sheets and pajamas can cool down your body temperature. You can also freeze up a hot water bottle and place it at your feet to effectively keep yourself cool as it takes a longer time to lose its coldness. If not, putting your feet in some ice water can also keep your core temperature down. Alternatively, you can opt for a cold shower as well. 

Box Fans

Strategically using your box fans by pointing them to face out windows will divert hot air out of the house and cool it down. Alternatively, you can also create a cross breeze by placing the box fans across an open window.

Dampen Your Sheets 

Dampening your sheets or a towel with cold water can help you to keep you cool at night. Just ensure that the towel does not damage your mattress while doing so. You can also hang it over an open window so that the breeze blowing through will create cool air in your home. 

Less is Best

Sleeping in loose cotton pajamas is the best. Opt for shorts instead of pants and a tank top instead to feel the most comfortable.

Pulse Points

Pulse points refer to areas on your wrist, elbows, neck, ankles, and behind the feet, knees, and groin. Applying something cool to these points can help to lower body temperature and keep yourself cool.

Sleep Alone and Above Ground

Since body heat creates more heat, sleeping alone can help you to stay cooler. Furthermore, if your bed is above ground, this would allow for better air circulation to feel cool throughout the night.

That being said, as hot air rises, sleeping at the lowest level of your house can help in keeping you cool as well. 

Drink Lots of Water

Drinking water before going to bed helps you to stay hydrated throughout the night as your bodies can sweat to keep temperatures lower.

Bamboo Mats

Although bamboo mats are less comfortable than your usual mattress, it is also thinner and hence does not retain as much heat as a cotton mattress will.

Unplug

Electronic appliances can heat up after being in use and thus, unplugging them after use can stop excess heat from being produced inside your house. 

Rice and Buckwheat

Freezing some rice in a sock is a great alternative as a homemade ice pack. Moreover, buckwheat can also be used to absorb heat by stuffing them in your pillows.

Cover Up

You can use blankets and towels to cover the bottom part of the door to prevent heat from entering and cool air from escaping, albeit your house feeling a bit like a cave.

Window Units and Ductless HVAC

Window units are a cheaper option if you don’t have an HVAC. You can also choose to use ductless HVACs, which is a cheaper alternative as well. It draws the outside air and makes it cool. The thermostat ensures the desired temperature.

Conclusion

In the event that the AC breaks down in hot weather, these tips and tricks are great for tiding you through a particularly hot and muggy day.