Ways to Keep Cool Without Air Conditioning

You can keep cool and comfortable on hot days even without having an air conditioning. These tips are also useful for those who have air conditioning but want to keep energy costs down.

For the home:

Keep the blinds closed during the day when the sun is out. This will keep the bright sunlight out and also keep some of the warmer air out of your home. You can also purchase special shades that have metallic coating on the outside that reflects sunlight away from your windows.

Use fans to keep air moving in the building. Whether you have ceiling fans, box fans, or table top fans, using one or more fan can keep you cool. To save energy and money, only run a fan in the room that you or your family are currently in.

Consider the sources of heat in your home. The kitchen is one area where heat gets generated often. During hot days try to avoid using the oven or stove as this will generate high amounts of heat. Avoid using dryers and instead hang your clothes out to dry. Computers can also generate good amounts of heat, keep them off if possible during the day. Any item that uses electricity has the potential to generate some heat, minimize usage during the hottest parts of the day.

For your body:

Wear light colored clothing and wear as few clothing items as possible. Dark colors absorb light and wearing too much clothing traps heat near your skin.

Run cold water or place ice cubes on the undersides of your wrists. I've tried this before and it works for a quick cool down. This is because you are placing cool water over your veins as your blood is flowing down to your hand and back up through the rest of your body. You can also do this on your ankles as well. If ice is too cold or "shocks" you, try luke warm water and over time move to colder water.

Place a cloth covered with cold water or a cold water bottle on the back of your neck or your forehead to get quick relief. You can also take a cool shower in the middle of the day to cool off and feel refreshed.

Stay in areas of your home that are cooler. For example since heat rises it is better to stay on the lower level of your home during the hot parts of the day.

These quick tips can help you stay a bit cooler on the hot days of the summer.