Happy First Day of Summer: 5 Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning

If your A/C breaks down this summer, here are 5 ways to stay cool without air conditioning while you wait for us to arrive!

Although it may seem like summer is nearly halfway over, today is the official first day of the season. And with it comes days spent at the lake, family outings to Indianapolis Indians games, and the far-too-common air conditioning breakdown. During the hottest months of the summer, air conditioning units have to work even harder to maintain a cool temperature throughout your house. But what if the worst happens and your air conditioner breaks down? Or maybe you’re saving energy and choosing to go without air conditioning this summer?

Either way, Indiana summers can be brutal, so we’ve put together our top five tips for staying cool:

#1: Keep the sunlight out, let the moonlight in.

Do this by lowering the shades by day and opening the windows at night. Shades — better yet, heat blocking curtains — will block the heat from the sun warming up the inside of your house. Once the sun sets, open your windows to let the heat out, and the cool nighttime air in. Just don’t forget to close those curtains again before the hottest part of the next day.

#2: Invest in a dehumidifier to stay cool without air conditioning.

With humidity levels high in Indiana, consider purchasing a whole house dehumidifier so you can keep the air inside your home dry. Find one that is big enough for the largest room in your house, where your family spends the most time. This will significantly increase your comfort levels without air conditioning.

#3: Consider fans your new best friend.

Set your fans to rotate counter-clockwise and the airflow will create a wind-chill breeze effect making you feel cooler. Turn on bathroom fans (or the exhaust fan in your kitchen), as these fans pull the hot air that rises from cooking and taking a shower out of your home. And if you just can’t handle the heat anymore, consider filling a mixing bowl with ice and positioning it in front of a big fan. The air from the fan will create an extra-chilled temperature in your home. You’ll thank us later.

#4: Swap out incandescent lights.

Now is the time to make the switch to CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) or LED lights. Incandescent bulbs spend 90 percent of the energy in the heat they produce, rising temps in your home.

Bonus Tip: You will consume 75 percent less energy by switching out your old incandescent light bulbs for LED lighting. And LED bulbs last up to 50 times longer than incandescent lights, saving you time, money and energy.

#5: Sleep smarter and stay cool without air conditioning.

Follow these hacks to sleep more soundly without air conditioning:

• Choose cotton sheets
• Wear cotton pajamas.
• Use fewer covers.
• Take a cool shower or dip your feet into cold water before going to bed.
• Unplug electronics to reduce total heat in your room — and save energy!

There may come a time when the heat is just too much to handle. If your home repairs aren’t doing anything to fix the problem, or you’re no longer interested in living A/C free, it’s probably best to call a professional.

Give us a call anytime at 317-203-8149, and we’ll be happy to help.

Till then, see you at Victory Field!