Tricks to Keeping Cool Without A/C

The first day of summer this year came with record-breaking heat here in Southern California. While turning on the A/C seems to be the only solution for our triple digit heat, there are some other methods to keep cool during these hot summer months.

KEEP YOUR WINDOW BLINDS CLOSED.

According to Family Handyman, up to 30 percent of the heat that enters your home comes from your windows. By simply closing your shades or curtains during the day, you can save money on your energy bills and lower indoor temperatures for a longer period of time.

CHANGE YOUR LINENS.

Change your bed sheets to lightweight cotton to stay cool at night. Cotton stays cooler than the flannel and fleece sheets you might have had during the winter, and won’t hold your body heat. Opt for just a bed sheet versus a comforter to allow for added breathability while sleeping during warm summer nights.

CHANGE YOUR CEILING FAN SETTINGS.

If you set your ceiling fan to spin counter-clockwise in the summer at a higher speed, the airflow will create a breeze-effect that will help make you feel cooler.

MAXIMIZE YOUR FANS.

With just a cooler, ice and a fan, you can hack your own temporary AC unit for those extra hot days. By filling a foam cooler with ice, cutting a few vents, and adding a fan, you can create a faux-air conditioning unit. Apartment Therapy actually has 3 methods to do it! Turning on your bathroom and stove fans will also exhaust any hot air that may be trapped in your home.

CHANGE YOUR LIGHT BULBS.

Incandescent lights waste about 90% of their energy in heat. By simply changing them to a more energy-efficient bulb, such as CFLs, you can reduce the heat emitted by your lights and lower your electric bill.