--- title: Summer: 10 Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning description: Keep your windows covered during the day canonical: https://time.com/4005532/stay-cool-no-ac-tips/ author: Angie's List article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-08-24T13:00:34.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:44:29.823Z og:title: 10 Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning og:description: Keep your windows covered during the day og:url: https://time.com/4005532/stay-cool-no-ac-tips/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2491aed6ecf5aab7/69886053e20a87ef1fa8cdd8/window-curtain.jpg?branch=production&width=750&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: window-curtain og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 10 Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning twitter:description: Keep your windows covered during the day twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2491aed6ecf5aab7/69886053e20a87ef1fa8cdd8/window-curtain.jpg?branch=production&width=750&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 10 Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning ## Video: Just How Beneficial Is Summer Vacation Really? [Watch (HLS stream): Just How Beneficial Is Summer Vacation Really?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/FZIvolWP.m3u8) (1:15)  _Published 2015-07-31. All work and no play? Or work hard, play hard? Research is divided on the effect of time off on productivity._ by [Gretchen Becker / Angie's List](https://time.com/author/angies-list/) ## Gretchen Becker / Angie's List Aug 24, 2015 1:00 PM UTC  Curtains CurtainsGetty Images by [Gretchen Becker / Angie's List](https://time.com/author/angies-list/) ## Gretchen Becker / Angie's List Aug 24, 2015 1:00 PM UTC Sweatin’ to the oldies during the warm summer months can make indoor living miserable if you don’t have air conditioning or if your [A/C goes on the fritz](https://www.angieslist.com/articles/troubleshooting-common-air-conditioning-problems.htm). Avoid the need to channel your inner Richard Simmons, and [keep cool without A/C](http://www.angieslist.com/articles/tips-keep-your-air-conditioner-running-smoothly-all-summer-long.htm) with these 10 tips. **Run fans** [Ceiling or box fans ](http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/fans-cooling)can move the air, making your skin feel cooler even if the temperature remains the same. If you have [A/C](https://www.angieslist.com/hvac/air-conditioning.htm), but it’s just blowing hot air, try running the HVAC fan to eliminate stagnate, stale air. **Don’t cook inside** [Fire up the grill](http://www.angieslist.com/articles/charcoal-or-gas-grill-what-s-best-way-barbecue.htm), make a salad or eat out. As temperatures rise in your oven, they also heat up the house. Running the dishwasher and laundry machines, using the stove, bathing (without using ventilating fans) and leaving lights on also contribute to heat gain. Limit these activities to the cooler times of day, like mornings or evenings. **Cover up windows** Large windows, especially those that face south, soak up the sun and the heat if not shaded, experts say. Keep your windows covered during the heat of the day. **Open up the house** If it’s cooler outside than in, open up doors and windows. When heat and humidity rise, close the house. **Install an attic fan** “Attic fans, power or solar, make a huge difference,” says Austin Knight, home comfort designer at [Aire Serv of The Woodlands](http://www.angieslist.com/companylist/us/tx/conroe/aire-serv-of-the-woodlands-and-greater-conroe-reviews-2270633.htm) in Conroe, Texas. “They suck out the heat that’s stuck in there. Insulation on rafters is keeping the hot air from going through the home. It’s better to evacuate all the heat you can and keep it out.” **Use insulation wisely** One of the best places to [upgrade home insulation](http://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-often-should-your-homes-insulation-be-replaced.htm) is the attic. As heat rises and builds up there, it pushes back into the home, raising the temperature and cooling costs. An effectively insulated attic also helps the attic’s structure and roof last longer. Attics also require [ventilating systems](http://www.angieslist.com/articles/make-sure-your-attic-properly-ventilated.htm), typically in the form of ridge and soffit vents. **Radiant barriers reflect heat** If you live in a warmer climate, consider installing radiant barriers in your attic. These reflective surfaces inhibit heat absorption into your home, lowering temperatures and cooling costs. **Go underground** If you live in a home with a basement, head downstairs to cool off. Temperatures can be 10 degrees cooler there than on the main level. **Put a tree in the ground** Strategically selected and planted landscaping cuts how much heat enters your home. For example, tall, full trees that block sunlight on the east and west sides of your home will limit heat gain inside. **Buy a window unit** Spend $200 for a window A/C unit and install it to cool down any room. “A window air conditioner can be a lifesaver,” says Curt Hicks, service manager at [Quality Control Plumbing Heating & Air](http://www.angieslist.com/companylist/us/in/indianapolis/quality-control-plumbing-heating-and-air-reviews-7465449.htm) in Indianapolis. **_Angie’s List Editor’s note:_** _This is an updated version of an article that was originally posted on May 28, 2014\._ _This_ [_article_](https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-stay-cool-summer-without-ac.htm?CID=SYN%5FTIME%5FSummerWoutAC%5F081815) _originally appeared on_ [_Angie’s List_](http://www.angieslist.com) _More from Angie’s List:_ * [5 Tips for Buying Central Air Conditioning](http://www.angieslist.com/articles/5-tips-buying-central-air-conditioning.htm?CID=SYN%5FTIME%5FSummerWoutAC%5F081815) * [Can I Retrofit My House for A/C?](http://www.angieslist.com/articles/can-i-retrofit-my-house-ac.htm?CID=SYN%5FTIME%5FSummerWoutAC%5F081815) * [How Much Does Installing a New Air Conditioner Cost?](http://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-much-does-installing-new-ac-cost.htm?CID=SYN%5FTIME%5FSummerWoutAC%5F081815) ### 5 Horrible Habits You Need to Stop Right Now  Do Not Email First Thing in the Morning or Last Thing at Night “The former scrambles your priorities and all your plans for the day and the latter just gives you insomnia,” says Ferriss, who insists “email can wait until 10am” or after you check off at least one substantive to-do list item. Chris Pecoraro—Getty Images  Do Not Agree to Meetings or Calls With No Clear Agenda or End Time “If the desired outcome is defined clearly… and there’s an agenda listing topics–questions to cover–no meeting or call should last more than 30 minutes,” claims Ferriss, so “request them in advance so you can ‘best prepare and make good use of our time together.'” Sam Edwards—Getty Images/Caiaimage  Do Not Check Email Constantly Batch it and check it only periodically at set times (Ferriss goes for twice a day). Your inbox is analogous to a cocaine pellet dispenser, says Ferriss. Don’t be an addict. Tools like strategic use of the auto responder and Boomerang can help. Jetta Productions—Getty Images  Do Not Carry a Digital Leash 24/7 At least one day a week leave you smartphone somewhere where you can’t get easy access to it. If you’re gasping, you’re probably the type of person that most needs to do kick this particular habit. by nacoki ( MEDIA ARC )—Getty Images/Flickr RF  Do Not Let People Ramble Sounds harsh, but it’s necessary, Ferriss believes. “Small talk takes up big time,” he says, so when people start to tell you about their weekends, cut them off politely with something like “I’m in the middle of something, but what’s up?” But be aware, not everyone agrees with this one (and certainly not in every situation), and you may want to pay particularly close attention to norms around chit chat when traveling internationally. 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