by Rebecca Mikulin

Created on: July 29, 2011   Last Updated: June 03, 2012

Especially during a heat wave, cooling a house without air conditioning may seem impossible. However, if you have an interest in being environmentally friendly, want to keep your energy bills down, can’t afford air conditioning, or wish to learn how to cool a house without air conditioning for other reasons, it’s not as impossible as you might think. It will require you to pay attention to what time of day temperatures usually fluctuate – both morning and evening – and developing a routine to use your home’s natural insulation in your favor.

• Watch the Windows

While it may seem like common sense to open a window when it’s hot out, this is decidedly counter-productive if it’s 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Just as it’s cooler in the shade on a hot day, it will naturally be cooler inside your house rather than outside. It’s alright to open your windows in the evening or early morning, and leave them open overnight if it’s safe in your area. However, as soon as the sun starts beating down (or, ideally, before it gets really hot out), close the windows and draw the blinds. This will keep direct sunlight out of your house, keep your cooler air in, and keep the warm air out.

If you live in an area that has cool air coming off of a body of water, opening windows to allow the breeze in may be beneficial, especially if you can keep the blinds down or curtains closed in order to keep the direct sunlight out.

• Use Fans

Simple fans are a lifesaver during a heat wave, especially in very humid areas. Fans not only help air movement, but also aid in sweat evaporation. Studies show that fans can significantly reduce the chance of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, as well as heat rash by helping keep excess sweat off of the body. Without evaporation, your body’s cooling system will not work efficiently and may not be enough to keep your body temperature within a safe range.

Especially in dry areas where a little extra humidity in the air won’t be a problem, placing a block of ice in front of the fan may help cool your house without an air conditioner as well. This runs on the same principle as swamp coolers, chilling the air as it passes over the ice.

• Use Draft Busters

While putting plastic on your windows, lining around all openings to the outdoors, and sand-filled sleeves in front of doors may seem like  a winter activity if you live where it snows, but it’s

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