Staying cool can be tough when summer temperatures are scorching. Extreme heat can pose some serious health concerns, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Here are some options for cooling your home without air conditioning-
Keep the stove turned off
A hot stove usually heat up your home. Try some less cook or no-cook recipes that'll cool you off—and avoid adding additional heat to your kitchen. Cold salads, veggies, and fruit-based dishes are good options.
Close the curtains during the day
During the summer, leaving your curtains open will mean giving the sun access to your room. It’s important to leave the curtains or blinds closed during the day to block the sun. This will help you cool down your room without AC.
Indoor window covering options vary; try shades, insulated curtains, or tinting or frosting windows. These protective barriers are energy-efficient and block the sun before light and heat from entering a room.
If your window catches a lot of direct sunlight, using dark or blackout curtains will prevent the rays from overheating your room during the hours when the sun is most active.
Place ice or cool water in front of a fan
Put cold water or ice in front of the fan while it’s on. This will cause the fan to blow the coolness of the water or ice around, thus making your room cooler. It’s best to close the door and windows when you do this, to keep the air trapped inside.
The idea is that ice generates cold air around it, and the fan will blow this air around. This is an ideal alternative to an air conditioner. Just maybe don’t sit right in front of the stream so it doesn't irritate your eyes.
Upgrade incandescent, fluorescent, and other light bulbs to LED
All electronic equipment emanates heat, including light bulbs. With these lights on, it might be hard to keep a room cool during the day. This contributes to the temperature of your room. LED lights, on the other hand, stay cool. They are more energy-efficient and it’ll save utility bills.
If you can’t change all your light bulbs, for now you can keep your lights off and use the natural daylight around your home. This will go a long way to keep you cool. Then, you can turn the lights on at night. This will also reduce the amount of energy you consume.
Optimize the use of fans
Fans are a great way to keep cool, but you'll need to get creative to get the most out of them. Create a cooling cross-breeze by positioning a fan across from an open window. If you're using a window box fan, it should blow into your room at the coolest hours of the day and outward during the warmest hours of the day. You can also try placing a bowl of ice at an angle in front of the fan to get an extra chilly gust of air. If possible, adjust your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise to pull hot air up and out.
Turn on exhaust fans
Bathroom fans and kitchen exhaust fans draw heat and humidity away from your house. U exhaust fans more regularly (not just after a steamy shower or a long day of cooking) during the summer months to cool your home. Turn them on during the day to draw hot air out of your home.
Turn off lights
Incandescent bulbs are not energy efficient. They use only 10% of their power to give off light and 90% to emit heat. Switching to light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs can help cool your home while lowering your energy expenses. Additionally, switch off any lamps or overhead lighting when not in use or the space is unoccupied.
Skip heat-producing appliances
Switch up your cooking routine by giving your oven a rest. Instead, try grilling outdoors or switch to meals that don't require heating. Avoid extended use of small appliances that give off heat, such as toasters, microwaves, or even your dryer.
Focus on your body temperature
Focus on your body temperature. There are many ways to keep your body temp down during the hot summer months. Apply ice packs or cold compresses to pulse points, such as your neck and wrists. Stay hydrated with iced water. Pick loose, breathable cotton fabrics and light colors that do not absorb heat.
