This air conditioning became our best ally during the recent extreme heat waves. Homes without these devices can feel like ovens if one is not careful about heat. When heat is installed inside, it is crucial to manage it smartly to stay comfortable.
Many people decide based on budget or health reasons to live without air conditioning. If that sounds like your situation, here are seven practical tips to renovate the home and make heat waves more bearable.
Homemade tricks to cool the house without air conditioning. Getty Pictures
1. Keep the blinds and curtains closed
After refreshing the home with the night air or the first light of day, close the blinds and drapes. This keeps the sun from heating the interior and helps maintain a comfortable temperature. Choose light colors for curtains and fabrics so sun radiation does not concentrate on them. If a balcony is available, an awning provides effective sun protection.
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2. Pay attention to fabrics
Beyond the textiles chosen, consider updating bed linens and upholstery to lighter whites or pastels. When renovating a room, swapping out heavy fabrics for cotton or linen can noticeably reduce heat retention and feel cooler to the touch.
Tips for cooling the house without air conditioning
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3. The most effective trick: a fan with ice
A fan paired with ice and a pinch of salt creates a simple cooling trick. Place a metal bowl filled with ice and salt before a fan, ideally facing the room. Salt lowers the freezing point, helping a lightweight cascade of cool air drift through the space.
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4. Avoid overloading devices
White goods contribute heat to the environment more than most people realize. While some appliances like the refrigerator or computer are essential, others should be limited during peak heat, including dishwashers, irons, ovens, or televisions in the middle of the day.
Tips for cooling the house without air conditioning
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5. Create natural air currents
Windows through which air exits should be opened fully and face the street. Those through which air enters should be opened only slightly, preferably facing inner spaces where the air is cooler. This arrangement encourages natural airflow, letting air enter from one window and exit through another.
6. Ceiling fans
Ceiling fans should be adjusted seasonally. In summer, blades rotate counterclockwise to push air down and create a refreshing breeze. In winter, set the blades to move clockwise to distribute warm air that gathers near the ceiling more evenly through the room.
Tips for cooling the house without air conditioning
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7. Plants against heat
Placing large leafy plants on balcony walls or near windows can reduce the amount of sun that reaches the interior, helping to cool the space and refresh the environment inside the home.