If summer temperatures are soaring in your neck of the woods and you don’t have the luxury of air conditioning, try some of these tips to help you stay cool.
Maximize the Use of a Fan
Fans can really make a difference in a house without air conditioning. You just have to know how to use your fan for the maximum benefit. Try the cool water effect: Fill plastic soda bottles with water and freeze. Place them in a large bowl and position the fan so that it blows on the cold bottles. The water inside the bottles will melt and create an evaporating cool down effect. Good old-fashioned box fans placed in windows and sliding glass door areas are a great way to cool off after evening temperatures drop.
Mist Your Way to Cool
You know that feeling of sitting in an outdoor dining area of a restaurant and feeling a nice cool mist? You can bring that experience home by installing a mister system in your outdoor space. These genius systems connect to a garden hose and spray a super fine mist of cool water. There are tons of varieties of off-the-shelf systems depending on your outdoor arrangements. Look for systems with hook and loop straps to attach to deck or pergola columns, systems that attach to fence lines, ceiling railings, those that attach to an outdoor umbrella and even freestanding tower misters for the yard or a sunbathing area.
Treat Your Windows Right
It’s no joke that closing your curtains, blinds and other window treatments to block out light during the day can help keep your house cooler. The downside is the lack of light, but the upside is the energy savings. According to the Department of Energy, medium colored draperies with white plastic backing can reduce heat gain by 33 percent. Close shades and curtains first thing in the morning to block out rising temperatures and open them back up in the evening when temperatures drop and the cooling power of window fans can take effect.
Freeze Your Way to Sleep
Bedding like pillowcases and throw blankets can be stored in the freezer during the day and brought out at night for the ultimate cooldown experience. Bandanas and hand towels do the trick, too. Don’t forget the simple power of a cool bath or shower. A quick, cold rinse down right before bed can help you doze off faster.
