Keeping Cool Without AC: 8 Simple Tips
From the surprisingly simple DIY wind tunnel to the microwave dinner, these tips will keep you cool if you don't have air conditioning, or don't want to pay to run it all the time.
By Dan Shapley
1. Close Your Windows
It may seem counterintuitive, but on hot summer days, opening the windows will often make your home warmer, not cooler. Open your windows only at night if the air outside is cooler than inside, and close them – along with blinds and shades – before the sun hits your house in the morning. When night falls, open windows wide, particularly those oriented toward prevailing winds so you can take advantage of cross ventilation. This will allow cool night air to circulate, and prevent a good deal of the sun's heat from reaching indoors. You may also put houseplants – particularly larger potted trees – in front of sunny windows to absorb some of the sun's energy.
Related: How I Cut Air Conditioning Use in My Cape Cod-Style Home Using the Upstairs Windows
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