When it is the heart of summer and you are suffering from the heat where all thirst is insatiable and you are sweating on every shirt within seconds, there is no real alternative to air conditioning. But it’s easy to be complacent and leave the air conditioner running, even when it’s only slightly or slightly warm outside, as we become accustomed to a certain level of atmospheric comfort. This is very wasteful and can put a huge amount of stress on the environment and your wallet which is frankly unnecessary.
Here we will go over some tips on how to stay cool in hot climates without needing an air conditioner so that you only have to use the air conditioner when absolutely necessary. While it may be tempting to put no real effort into it and switch to the air conditioner every time you’re close to breaking a sweat, the huge savings you can make and the environmental benefits should prove quite attractive.
Top tip
windows – Yes it may seem obvious, but it is important to realize Which windows open to facilitate a moderate atmosphere. Wet your fingers and hold them up to the slightest breeze and you should be able to tell which way the wind is blowing. Open windows that allow wind to flow through the house from side to side and end to end.
Fan – Even a relatively small desk fan can really help cool air circulate. Meanwhile, bigger fans, placed in strategic places around the room are almost as effective as AC units. Try placing one fan near an open window so it catches the air flowing into the room and placing another fan at another window or door to blow warm air out. If conditions are right, this can create a ‘wind tunnel’ that draws cool air into the room. Ceiling fans are also an option, although it is generally much more cost-effective to purchase a portable fan than to install a non-movable ceiling fan. They use approx 3% of the power of the AC unit however even with the initial cost of installation, they will still work out a lot cheaper. Plus aesthetically speaking ceiling fans can go a long way in making a room appear more impressive and great.
take advantage of the night – Regardless of the time of year, it is always cooler at night. To prepare for cooler nights, remember to close the windows in the morning before leaving for work to let cool air in and warm air out during the day (of course you should keep your windows closed to keep out potential thieves). Also, try to keep curtains and blinds closed as the sun’s rays will create more heat. If you also leave the lights on during the day, they will generate less heat and waste energy.
Clothes – Another obvious but no less effective job. Wear something short-sleeved shirt and shorts instead of jeans and a jumper. We understand that this might not work at work (where a certain dress code will inevitably be enforced) but at home there’s no reason why we can’t revamp our wardrobe to make it more function than fashion. Also a little known tip is to keep the sleeves and legs of your shorts slightly wet. It might feel a little uncomfortable at first but it really works.
Water water everywhere – Use cold water to your advantage, an old wives tale the real trick is to wet your pulse points (wrists and temples) with cold water and then keep them cold by pressing a cloth-wrapped ice cube against the points. You should find immediate relief and be able to lower your total body temperature by as much as 3 degrees (Fahrenheit) for an hour!
Play devil’s advocate
Of course with all that said, if you live in an area that is prone to constant, uncomfortably hot temperatures, it may be untenable to completely ditch the air conditioner. We don’t recommend it, it’s just that it may not be necessary to run the air conditioner all the time and if your house is small enough you may only need a small unit with one window. Installing large, sprawling building units would prove costly and keeping them running would become an economic and fiscal nightmare. When you want to install an air conditioner, we recommend using a local and independent company such as InterstateAir.com in New York, which will be able to offer a more eco-friendly and ‘personal’ service than their big chain counterparts.
Remember though that air conditioning is a privilege, not a right, so the next time you get home at night and decide it’s a little ‘damp’, think twice before ‘plugging in’ the air conditioner and keep the tips above in the back of your mind.
George Torres is a green enthusiast who likes to think of great ways to save energy every day.
