How to Keep Your Home Cool Without Central Air

Central air conditioning seems like a mainstay in many American households, but many older homes still do not have central systems. Relying on window units can be expensive and not many models on the market are energy efficient. As a result, many homeowners who lack central air look to other methods to keep their homes cool in the summertime. If you’re one of the few who are missing out on central air, use these tips to keep your home properly ventilated in the summer time.

1. Think About the Areas of the Home You Use

Here’s a simple tip that can make a big difference: close off any rooms you don’t routinely use. This will keep the cool air from going into these areas, especially during the hottest parts of the day. At nighttime, open them again and set up a box fan in the window to help bring the cooler air in and give you a jumpstart on the next day.

2. Create an “Air Conditioner” Where You Sit

Using box fans to circulate air throughout your room is suitable for rooms that you don’t use all day, but what about those hot living areas? Consider this trick, which turns your ordinary fan into an air conditioner: place a bowl of ice in front of a large, high-powered fan. You’ll enjoy the effect of an air conditioner, albeit temporarily. This can be a handy tip for beating the summer heat at the hottest times of the day.

3. Rethink Your Bedding

Do you use the same sheets year-round? If so, you could be missing out on some serious cooling opportunities. You’re already saving lots of money on electricity by not using air conditioning, so invest in a nice pair of cooling sheets in materials like 100% cotton. A buckwheat pillow also breathes easier because it doesn’t hold moisture, even on the hottest and most humid of summer days.

4. Make Sure Your Ceiling Fans Run Counter Clockwise

Did you know that you should change the direction of your ceiling fans seasonally? Using them in the winter can actually help heated air from rising, but only if you set it in a clockwise rotation. When spring rolls around, set your ceiling fans to turn counterclockwise to keep a nice breeze going that will provide a reprieve from sweltering temps.

Keeping cool in the summer is possible, even without central cooling. Just apply these tips to stay cool in the next heat wave.