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Air conditioning may seem like the most logical way to keep cool in the summer heat, but keep in mind that home air conditioners have only been around for the last 60 years or so. Before that, our predecessors had many ways to beat the heat. If you want to learn more about how to keep cool without air conditioning, read the tips below.
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Air conditioning may seem like the most logical way to keep cool in the summer heat, but keep in mind that home air conditioners have only been around for the last 60 years or so. Before that, our predecessors had many ways to beat the heat. If you want to learn more about how to keep cool without air conditioning, read the tips below.
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Introduction
- While air conditioners may be among the fastest and easiest ways to cool down on a hot day, anyone who's used one in their home knows that doing so will cause your power bills to skyrocket. If you're looking for a way to keep cool without wasting money and energy on air conditioning, there are several other more energy and cost efficient ways to beat the heat.
Dress for Success
- The type and of clothing you wear can make a big difference on how hot or cold you are. Therefore, to keep cooler:
- Wear as little as possible: Opt for shorts, skirts, dresses and sleeveless tops when you can
- Wear natural fabrics: Fabrics such as silk, linen and cotton breathe better and will keep you cooler than synthetic materials
- Keep it loose: Looser clothing allows more air to flow between the fabric and your skin, so avoid wearing tight clothing in the heat
- Take of shoes and hats: If you're inside, remove your shoes, socks and hats. The majority of the body's heat dissipates through the soles of the feet and the head, so taking off clothing that covers these areas will help cool you off
Get Wet
- The evaporation of water from your skin helps cool it off.
- Dampen the pulse points at your wrists, temples and neck with water or hold an ice cube to these areas for a minute or so. Doing this can lower your overall body temperature by up to three degrees
- Keep a spray bottle handy and mist yourself with it regularly
- Go for a run through the sprinkler
- Dampen your clothes, especially sleeves and pant legs, before putting them on
- Place your feet in a tub of cool water
- Dampen a bandanna and tie it around your neck or head
- Drink plenty of cold water
In the House
- If your house is sweltering in the summer heat, spend as much time outside or in other buildings as you can during the day. If you must be inside, stay on the main floor, or, better yet, in the basement if you can. Regardless of whether you're in or out, there are several things you can do to help reduce the heat level in your house.
- Turn off the lights: Not only do they give off light, light bulbs also give off heat, so turning them off may keep your home cooler
- Draw the shades: Keeping your blinds closed will reduce the amount of sunlight that gets in
- Minimize appliance use: Although the oven is an obvious one, other large appliances, such as the dryer, washing machine and dishwasher can also give off heat
- Windows: If there is even a slight breeze, figure out which way it's coming from and then open the windows to allow it to flow through the house. If the air is still, it's best to keep the windows closed
- Fans: Fans use about 3% of the energy that air conditioners do, so get yourself a ceiling fan or tabletop fans. Place your fans strategically so that they either pull in cooler air or blow warmer air out. Placing a bowl of ice or cool water in front of a fan or getting yourself damp and then sitting near a fan can increase the fan's cooling power
Conclusion
- As you can see, you don't need an air conditioner to stay cool during the hot summer months. Dressing appropriately for the weather, using water to keep cool, minimizing the use of lights and other appliances inside the house and strategically using fans and windows to increase air flow can all help you beat the heat.
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