Staying cool without air conditioning can be a seriously difficult proposition. Perhaps that's why over 100 million homes in America have some air cooling mechanism. Thankfully, there are several ways you can stay cool without air conditioning, many of which won't cost you a single dime.
Avoid Using Heat Generating Appliances
Appliances such as dishwashers, clothes washers, driers, and ovens can generate high levels of heat that can warm your home to an exasperating point. During the hottest days of the summer, simply avoid using these appliances.
Instead, wash your dishes in the sink by hand and your clothes in a large tub. Take advantage of the natural heat of summer by hanging your clothes to dry outside. Finally, avoid using your oven and cook with the stove top, the microwave, or even an outdoor grill.
Eat Naturally Cooling Foods
Summer can be a great time of fun picnics and outdoor adventures, but heating heavy, hard to digest food can raise your body temperature. Focus on eating lighter food that is easy to digest and which will naturally lower your body temperature.
Perfect summer foods include
- Watercress
- Melon
- Lemon
- Tomato
- Parsley
- Basil
- Banana
- Potato
- Fish
- Chicken
Stock Your Home with Cool Fabrics
People often ignore the impact that fabric has on heat retention. Wearing clothing made of lighter fabrics can actually help keep you cool and can even lower the heat level in your home.
Perfect summer fabrics include
- Cotton
- Linen
- Rayon
- Silk
- Georgette
- Jersey
Don't stop at simply wearing these fabrics: replace your heavier summer bedding with these lighter fabrics. You'll be able to sleep a lot easier during the night and may not even need a fan to stay cool. However, you should replace your lighter winter curtains with heavier fabrics, to block out heat and keep the cool air of your home stored safely inside.
Use Cooler Light Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs are not only a source of light, but of heat. In fact, these light bulbs radiate about 90% of their energy as heat. This makes them highly inefficient as a light source and also makes them an annoying source of extra summer heat. Install energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs: these bulbs are designed to emit 75% less heat.
Though these techniques won't cool your home to the same coolness generated by air conditioning, each is likely to shave of several degrees. And in 90 degree weather, a few degrees can mean the difference between stifling heat and comfortable heat. Talk to a professional like Universal Refrigeration for more information.
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