Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning

As the weather starts to heat up, cranking the air conditioning can be tempting. You work hard for your humble abode; why let Mother Nature turn it into a sauna when the solution is as simple as tapping the thermostat? As great as it might feel in the moment, the bill at the end of the month will be enough to make you sweat bullets. So, what other options are out there? Believe it or not, before air conditioning made life worth living, people did survive summers without. We’ve got tips below to help you outsmart the heat and keep your bills cool, and not one of them involve throwing bed sheets or underwear in the ice box (unless you’re into that, in which case, Godspeed.)

Sorry, We’re Closed

No matter how green your windows may be (and if you’re in a GCD home, the answer is “very”) heat is still going to manage to get in if your blinds or curtains are wide open. It may be minimal, but it can make a difference. When the temps climb, keep the blinds closed to keep out as much of the heat as you can. This is especially true for south and west-facing windows. If you just have to let the sunshine in, only crack the blinds or leave curtains slightly open, and limit it to north-facing windows. It will let some light in without the direct hit of heat. Planting vines outside windows or setting up awnings can also help block out heat before it gets in.

Closing doors is another alternative. Why cool off rooms you aren’t even in? If the study or kids’ bedrooms will be vacant that day, close the doors. The same can be said at night. If you aren’t in there, don’t let the fan blow all the chill in that room.

If you live in a place where it cools off at night, there is an alternative to this. Try cracking open a window in the evenings to let in the cool breeze. Setting up a fan will help push this air into the room, or aim the fan at window to blow the warm air out. Just be sure to lock up the windows and draw the shades tight in the morning when the sun starts its oven routine again.

Let There be Ice

In landlocked Utah, a cool sea breeze is something that exists only in dreams – or is it? Mimic Mother Nature by setting a shallow dish of ice and water in front of a fan. The air will blow across the ice and spritz your face with a blast of cool air. It’s not a pretty as some of those $400 fans, and it’s not as all-encompassing as your typical AC unit, but if you’re the lucky soul sitting in front of the fan, you’ll never know the difference. That said, the bigger the fan and the more ice cubes/packs you load into the baking dish, the more space you can cover (to a point). Any baking dish or bowl will work to house the ice, but metal is a great material, if you have it. It’ll also cool off, keeping the ice cold longer and ultimately cooling the air around it, as well.

If your ice supply is limited, put it to good use by dropping it into your glass. Chilly drinks like lemonade and ice tea (or, you know, water) are synonymous with summer because they are very effective at cooling you from the inside out. Save the warm drinks for winter and indulge in iced coffee and iced tea, or simply stay hydrated with plenty of ice water. Downing a glass of chilly lemonade can be an effective temporary reprieve from the heat.

Sleep Perchance to Chill

Flannel and down comforters make snuggling into bed something we dream of in winter, but nothing causes insomnia quite like heat. Sticking one leg outside the comforter can only accomplish so much. If the thermostat beckons when it’s time to sleep, try switching your sheet first. Cotton is a great material, because it breathes. Also, try swapping out the heavy comforter for a light blanket. You’ll stay sufficiently covered, but without trapping all that heat around you. Pillows can also be culprits for retaining heat. Look for pillows made of buckwheat or with specially-designed pockets/channels to help expel heat. Even if you aren’t a hot head, you’d be surprised how much heat your head generates.

If you find yourself staring up at the ceiling fan with sleep alluding you, pay attention to the direction your fan in spinning. Is it counter-clockwise? If not, reverse it. The warm air will be pushed upward, instead of swirling down around you. Remember to reverse this back when the weather finally takes pity on us and starts to cool down again… you know, months from now.

Chill Out, Grill Out

Everybody has to eat, but preheating an oven will also preheat your home. Try swapping out the hearty casseroles and meats for a chilled salad or light soup. If the rabbit food gets a little monotonous, fire up the grill. Not only is it a lean and healthy way to cook meats and veggies, but it also keeps all the heat outside the home. Win-win! Experiment with new recipes, new marinades, and even new methods to keep your grilling fresh all summer long.

Summer should be a time of long days by the pool, neighborhood barbecues, and family vacations, but if you are cooped inside, employing these tips should help you keep cool. With GCD homes, it’s even easier to keep temps down. We build each of our homes with 2×6 exterior walls (deeper walls = more insulation to keep the cold in and the heat out), low-E Pella windows, and other green building practices to make your home as efficient as possible. Interested in owning your own GCD home? Great! Contact us to get started today.