If you don’t have an air conditioner, check out these creative ways to stay cool all summer long.
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When the summer sun is beating down, it’s nice to be able to retreat into an air conditioned home. But if you live in a part of the country where central air hasn’t typically been included in houses because the climate there used to be cooler, or if you’re having to deal with a power grid strained from extreme energy usage, high temperatures can quickly heat up your house making it uncomfortable and even dangerous. Don’t despair, there are ways you can keep your house cool without an air conditioner.
First we should point out just how serious heat-related illness is. It kills more than 600 people in the United States every year, according to the CDC. So, you need to be aware of the signs of heat-related illness and know how to react to protect your health as well as neighbors and loved ones. If the temperature is in the 90s or higher and your house is hot despite efforts to cool it down, the CDC recommends finding a place that has air conditioning (such as shopping malls, libraries, designated cooling centers, etc.) and spending a few hours there to cool down.
For times when the situation is less extreme but still uncomfortable, the following tips and hints will help you keep your indoor space cool without air conditioning.
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Cover Your Windows
Left uncovered and open during the hottest parts of the day, your windows let in a considerable amount of heat, especially if they’re getting direct sunlight, so you want to put something over it to keep the heat out.
An awning or shutters on the outside are great because they block the sun before it hits the glass. Window shades are the next best option. Look for energy efficient options, like cellular shades which hold air inside the honeycomb shapes to create a barrier with the glass. That helps keep the heat from entering and circulating in your house as well as keeping the cool air locked inside. Blackout shades and curtains are another option that help control how much light and heat gets into your home.