8 Tips to Keep Your Home Cool Without Air Conditioning During the Hottest Days

January 01, 2024

1. Close the curtains during the day

According to a scientific study, 30% of unwanted heat comes from windows. Therefore, the simplest way to keep your house cooler during peak sunny days is to always close the curtains during the day, especially from 8 am to 5 pm when the sun is scorching.

You can choose cotton curtains or thick sun-blocking curtains in neutral colors (such as light gray or beige) to minimize the heat radiation that can enter the room. This simple measure can make your house much cooler.

2. Add blinds outside the windows

In addition, if possible, add blinds made of wood or bamboo outside the windows to reduce up to 60% of the heat from sunlight. In intense sunny weather, you can even moisten these blinds with water to keep your house even cooler. This is a simple and effective way to cool your house!

3. Open windows at night

If closing the curtains during the day is necessary to limit the heat entering the house, then opening all the windows at night is absolutely necessary to create a breezy atmosphere for your living space. Even a gentle evening breeze can help cool your house down quickly and make it much more airy.

You can also place a water tray on the floor and position a fan to blow towards the open windows to help push the hot air out of the house more quickly.

4. Cool the floors

For houses without air conditioning, sleeping on stone floors is the most reasonable choice for hot days. To keep the floor cool and sleeping more comfortable, don’t forget to cool the floor. Prepare some cool water pots (you can add ice to the water for faster cooling) and patiently mop the house 2 – 3 times. You can also pour water on the floor (especially on the sleeping area) and let it dry naturally.

Remember to cool the floor when the sun has set, and you can open the windows to help cool down faster.

5. Limit the use of electrical appliances

Not only to save electricity, but also because the heat emitted from electrical appliances and household items during operation will add a few degrees to the already stuffy atmosphere of your house. To achieve this, your family should focus activities in one room instead of spreading out throughout the house.

In addition, schedule cooking and cleaning in a scientific way to avoid using the stove excessively, which can cause unnecessary heat. Furthermore, you can choose compact lights instead of incandescent bulbs to save energy and reduce the heat emitted.

6. Use fans and mist fans

Currently, mist fans are considered as effective alternatives to air conditioning due to their energy-saving advantages. Compared to air conditioning, these fans save more than 75% of the electricity without compromising the cooling effect in the house. Additionally, this type of fan increases the humidity in the air, providing a pleasant feeling during hot summer days.

If you don’t have a mist fan, you can place a small ice water pot in front of existing fans to make the airflow cooler. This is a simple and effective cooling tip that anyone can try and implement immediately.

7. Use insulation foam and films

This is a quick and flexible way to cool your house without air conditioning. These materials are often available at construction stores. Simply buy insulation foam and film with suitable sizes and set them up on the outside of the areas exposed to intense sunlight, and your house will be significantly cooler.

You can place insulation foam on the ceiling and walls facing west to avoid heat. Additionally, apply insulation film to the windows. Insulation film is not only a solution for the summer but also effective in the long run as it helps block harmful UV rays.

8. Add greenery

Potted plants, flowers, shrubs, and vines can help cool your house. You can decorate or plant leafy plants and shrubs in the east and west directions to “block” the sunlight from shining into the house. Additionally, you can plant vines to cover the walls to quickly reduce heat and beautify your home. Bushy plants also have a similar effect when planted around the house.