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Living in a hot climate can be tough, especially when the summer months make their inevitable approach. If you don’t have air conditioning, it’s not uncommon for things to quickly become uncomfortable and unbearable.
However, you don’t have to go to public facilities such as cafes or libraries to escape the summer heat. Here are some things you can do to stay cool throughout the hottest months of the year without using air conditioning.
1) Wear Looser Garments
Sweat tends to stick around for much longer in tight-fitting clothes, so try to wear things that are looser and more breezy. One of the worst feelings to face during the summer months is when your clothes start sticking in your skin due to sweat. Thankfully, you can avoid this by dressing optimally for the weather.
Some of the best clothing materials to keep cool for this period include linen, cotton, and even rayon garments. As long as the clothing is breathable, you can feel much more comfortable when the temperature starts to soar.
2) Ensure Your Windows are Properly Insulated
Another strategy to keep the scorching heat out of your living space is to hang an umbrella over the outer portion of the window. This method keeps your place shaded and can be incredibly effective in areas that experience a lot of sunlight. Overhangs or awnings are also effective alternatives that can do the same thing.
Alternatively, you could also consider installing window insulation film. This thin film is transparent and can be installed on your windows without any trouble. It helps to reflect the sun’s rays and keep the interior of your home much cooler.
3) Buy A High-Quality Electric Fan
When things heat up, it can quickly become unbearable to even leave your home because the air outside becomes suffocating.
The best way to combat this is by utilising an electric fan or two, particularly fans that are built with powerful motors. These types of fans will keep you stay cool without having to resort to air conditioning.
However, it’s important to choose the right fan for your needs.
Some things to consider when picking a fan include:
- The type of fan (personal, tabletop, tower, ceiling, and misting fans are some of the more common types)
- Whether you want it wall-mounted or as a standalone floor fan.
- How much airflow it can generate at maximum capacity (measured by CFM, or cubic feet per minute)
- Additional features such as automatic oscillation, fan speed, height adjustments, remote control, or fan head adjustments
Some households have different preferences, so it’s important to bear that in mind while scouring the internet for fan buying guides and reviews online.
Nonetheless, with these factors in mind, you can come to a decision on what electric fan will suit your specific needs and help you keep cool for the summer.
4) Use a Humidifier
One way to make things more comfortable without air conditioning is by using a humidifier. A humidifier is a device that removes extra moisture from the air, even in higher temperatures.
With a humidifier, you not only help make the air feel more relieving, but you also get a device that’s effective for treating skin irritation and dryness of the nose and throat.
That’s not all. During the summer, it’s common for bacteria-infested areas such as trash cans and bathrooms to have a much stronger odour than usual, which can diminish the quality of life at home. A humidifier draws the filthy air out of these spaces and makes your home feel lighter and easier to breathe in.
5) Shade Your Windows With Curtains in the Morning
If you go out for work or don’t mind a darker room, then you can save on your electricity bills by keeping the blinds and curtains closed during the day.
The sun’s rays are at their strongest between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, so it’s best to keep your windows covered up during that time. This will prevent the sun from shining inside and heating your living space.
Moreover, you can use blackout shades or window tint film for your windows to block out even more heat from streaming into your room. You can cut down the temperature inside your home by 5 to degrees in doing so, which can make all the difference in your comfort levels throughout the day.
6) Unplug Unused Appliances
Do you always keep your appliances like your television, gaming consoles, computer speakers, or coffee machine plugged in?
While it may seem like a hassle to plug them off, they consume energy when plugged in and generate heat in the process. If left unchecked, this can even cause electric circuits to overheat and produce irreversible damage to your outlets – or worse, cause a house fire.
Unplugging appliances in your kitchen and living room can help reduce the amount of power (and heat) during the summer months. Not only does it help you stay cooler, but it also helps save on your electricity bills.
7) Shade Your Garden
A bare lawn that absorbs the full brunt of the sun’s rays is a missed opportunity to cool your area. Even if you water your lawn frequently, your grass is still susceptible to heat damage and can easily wither away if you’re not careful.
One way to protect it from sunlight is by planting tall plants around it such as trees and bushes to block exposure to the sun. Trees help ward off the heat and provide shade, especially if they can cover your interior’s windows.
Shading your garden with trees, shrubs, and vines can help deflect some of that heat, as well as keep your outdoor area more comfortable. In addition, plants also release water into the air, which can also help humidify the vicinity surrounding your home.
