Many Americans like their air conditioning on max. But, if you have no air conditioning unit in your apartment, you may wonder how to keep your apartment cool without AC when there’s hot weather.
It’s tough to beat the summer heat if your apartment building doesn’t have air conditioners, especially if you live in a hot and humid climate. If investing in a portable AC unit isn’t your thing, there are many other wallet-friendly ways to cool down a room.
Instead of spending days sweating in the heat to no avail, try out these clever ways to learn how to stay cool. From creating a wind tunnel with strategic fan placement to the best materials to use for breathability, keep reading to learn how to cool down an apartment without AC.
How to cool down a room with fans
Fans are one of the most popular ways for apartment dwellers to cool down without AC — and for good reason. They’re cost-effective and can take the edge off of the draining summer heat with just a little bit of air circulation. Here are some tricks to make your fans work more effectively.
1. Strategize your ceiling fans
Did you know that ceiling fans have a switch to change directions for winter and summer? Ensure that they’re running counter-clockwise in the summer to circulate cool air. A ceiling fan rotating clockwise pushes warm air down.
2. Use proper fan placement
Fans are trickier than they seem. Many people with no air conditioning at home will place a fan in a window pointing in the room, but that won’t necessarily cool down the room. You’ll need a couple of fans in your windows — one facing inward and another facing out to help circulation and blow hot air outward.
3. Use a corner tower fan
Tower fans are tall and slim and can cool down an entire room by oscillating from left to right. A tower fan can simulate the feeling of wind chill since it’s tall enough to cool down the entirety of your body if you’re sitting down. Use a corner tower fan and other types of fans to cool down a room without AC effectively.
4. Get a rotating fan
Rotating fans are a great option to cool down a large space with a single fan. If you have to invest in just one fan, an oscillating fan with an option to stand still can give you the ability to cool a large room or focus on one spot when need be.
5. Start from the ground up
Since hot air rises, you might want to put a fan on the ground that faces up. This method works best when used with other fans and can help drive hot air up while keeping the ground level cool.
6. Use ice to create cool air
Looking for quick, budget-friendly AC hacks? During those extra-hot summer days, you can make a DIY air conditioner. Put a large bowl of ice in front of your fan for an old-school trick that’ll help you feel cool.
The ice will create a cool breeze to help regulate the temperature of your house. Just make sure to have a towel underneath the bowl to protect your floors from condensation.
Window tricks to make your room cooler
Windows are one of the biggest culprits of raising the temperature in your apartment, especially if they allow direct sunlight. Keep reading to learn a few tricks for keeping your apartment cool without tAC by getting smart with your windows.
7. Keep it shady with blackout curtains
Invest in some energy-efficient blackout curtains to keep the sun out of your apartment during the sun’s peak hours. Keeping your pad dark and closed up during the day will keep cool air in and warm air out.
8. Close your doors
If you don’t have air conditioning and you’re trying to figure out how to cool down a room without AC, it’s best to take a targeted approach. Close doors to rooms you’re not using so you can focus your cooling efforts in concentrated areas where you need it.
9. Keep windows closed during the day
At night, many people like to open their windows to let fresh, cool air in. However, if you don’t wake up in time to close the windows, you might end up spending the day in temperatures rivaling the outdoors. Close your windows as soon as the sun rises to keep the cooler air in.
10. Hang a sheet in the window
Want to know how to make your room cooler if you have light-facing windows that turn your apartment into an oven? Try hanging a bedsheet in the window frame for DIY curtains that you can easily take down during the cooler winter months.
11. Double up
If you have thin, lackluster curtains that just aren’t doing the trick to keep the heat out, try doubling up with a sheet or bed cover to create thicker, more heat-proof curtains. This will help compound the effect of your curtains to cool down a room.
12. Make your laundry do double duty
Using your dryer can make your apartment hotter because of the energy it produces. Instead, make your laundry do double duty by hanging it in front of your windows to dry. Not only will you save on energy costs, but your laundry can function as “curtains” to help keep your room cool without AC.
13. Follow the shade
If you have both east- and west-facing windows, try starting your day on the west side of your apartment. Once the sunbeams begin to creep in that window, you’ll know it’s time to switch to the shady east side.
14. Open windows at night
When the weather cools down at night, open all your windows to let in as much cool night air as possible. Additionally, you can create a nice cross breeze in your apartment by placing a box fan or a few portable fans in front of your open windows to push the outdoor air in more effectively. Just wake up in time to shut the windows before sunrise, or you might end up with an extra-hot home for the day.
15. Cover doors and windows
If your room feels like a greenhouse that soaks up heat from the sun all day, try keeping your blinds closed. Then, use rolled-up towels on the bottom part of the door to prevent heat from coming in. If you don’t have blinds installed, hang towels or blankets to absorb heat and block those UV rays from coming into your house.
Energy tips for a cool house without an air conditioner
Did you know that your electricity use is a major culprit in heating your house? Here are some cooling solutions to keeping your apartment cool without AC (and minimizing your electric bill) on a hot day.
16. Turn off the lights
It may seem obvious, but it’s important to remember that turning off your lights can save electricity and reduce heat. Even eco-friendly bulbs like CFLs and LEDs give off some heat level, so opt for natural light whenever possible and turn off lights you don’t need.
17. Use LED bulbs
Traditional incandescent bulbs generate heat — and they run up the cost of your energy bills. If you’re not able to keep the lights off during the day, LED bulbs are a great alternative. During the summer months, when the electricity cost is high, you should consider making the switch to LED light bulbs, which produce less heat, cost less than traditional bulbs and will positively impact your energy bill.
18. Decorate with lighter colors
Light colors reflect heat, whereas dark colors absorb it — which is why we feel hot when we wear a dark shirt outside and cooler when we wear a light color. The same thing applies to your apartment décor — if you have dark furniture and walls, it will absorb the heat from the sun and make your apartment heat up. So, try using light colors to decorate and, if you get permission, paint your walls with lighter paints.
19. Unplug the electronics
While it’s possibly a habit for you to turn off your electronics, they can still take up energy passively in the background — running up your electricity bill’s cost and producing extra heat in the process. If it’s not something you need at that moment, keep it unplugged except for when in use.
20. Get smart with your grilling
There are few better ways to heat your apartment than by turning on the oven. On those ultra-hot days, try to avoid cooking altogether. Instead, embrace the summer weather, throw something on the grill, chop up some veggies, make a delicious salad or sandwich or simply order takeout.
21. Use exhaust fans to funnel out hot air
If you decide to cook in your kitchen, turn on your exhaust fan the whole time. This will keep away smoke and help regulate the hot indoor temperatures from using your stove or oven.
22. Opt for cold meals
During the hottest parts of the day, eating cold meals can help keep your body cool. Skip the grill or oven and opt for a cold sandwich, salad or a sweet cold treat to keep your body at a comfortable temperature.
Cooling tricks when it’s too hot to sleep
We’ve all experienced the feeling of tossing and turning in bed, unable to fall asleep because of the heat — and you can only flip over to the cold side of the pillow so many times. Keep reading to learn our best tricks for keeping your apartment cool without AC if you run hot when you sleep.
23. Opt for lighter linens
While textiles like flannels and fleece are good for cool winter months, they can make it too hot to sleep at night during the summer. If you want to sleep cooler, lighter sheets like Egyptian cotton and linen can help regulate your body temperature and keep you cool.
24. Choose cooling sheets
For an extra cooling factor, opt for eucalyptus or bamboo sheets. These sheets are extra breathable and 100 percent organic, making it easier than ever when you need to sleep in the heat.
25. Swap your pillow
Instead of your usual fluffy pillow, opt for a smaller, firmer replacement during the hot summer months. Since your head and feet largely regulate your temperature, keeping your head cool will help you sleep cool and comfortable.
26. Sleep low
You’ve likely heard that heat rises. To reduce heat gain, try lowering your bed or moving your mattress to the floor to minimize the amount of excess heat around you as you sleep. If you have a two-story home, sleeping on the ground floor is also a good way to make sure you’re in the coolest part of the house as you catch some Zs.
27. Get cold feet
Your feet play a big part in temperature regulation and your overall body heat. If you’re not willing to sleep without a blanket covering your feet, try having a bucket of cold water near your bed to dunk your feet in when you want to sleep cooler.
28. Use a wet towel
If you often wonder, “why is my room so hot?” a great solution is to use damp towels and place them on your wrists or neck to cool yourself down fast. These areas are where your blood vessels are closer to the skin, which can help speed up the process of cooling yourself down in a hot room.
29. Get smart with ice packs
Your pulse points are areas on your body where you can apply something cool to make your temperature drop much faster. Use an ice pack and place it on your wrists, neck, ankles, feet or behind the knees to fast-track the cool-down process for your body.
30. Air dry
Taking a shower or cold bath is a common way to beat the summer heat. Try hopping in the bath or taking a cold shower during the hot part of the day and allow your hair to air-dry afterward. Having damp hair can naturally help regulate your temperature when you’re trying to figure out how to cool down a room without AC.
31. Stay hydrated
While there are many external things you can do to cool down a room without AC, one of the most important ways to keep your body temperature regulated is to make sure you’re drinking enough water. While you sleep, sweating can dehydrate you, so be sure to have a glass of chilled water before hitting the hay.
Other solutions for how to cool down an apartment without AC
While there are plenty of tricks and DIY solutions for keeping your apartment cool without AC, sometimes, the most effective solution is to invest in a cooling unit.
32. Get a portable air conditioner
If your apartment doesn’t have its own central air or AC window unit, you can purchase a portable one. The downside is that these are bulky and take up space, so they’re not the best for a small apartment. But on the upside, you’re investing in something you can take with you when you move out, so you can always ensure that you’ll have cool air wherever you live.
33. Buy a small swamp cooler
A swamp cooler uses cool water to create cold air and it’s more energy-efficient than an air conditioner. Swamp coolers also keep the air flowing throughout your apartment and since it uses water, it creates humidity and pushed humid air throughout your apartment to keep the space cool.
A swamp cooler is best in places with dry air, so if you live somewhere that’s already humid, the extra humidity will only make it muggy and you’ll have an extra hot apartment.
Beat the heat without air conditioning
During the hot summer months, beating the heat is essential. If you’re debating whether central AC units are worth the cost, these tricks are great when trying to figure out keeping your apartment cool without AC. It’s also worth consulting with your landlord to know your renter’s rights for air conditioning since, in some parts of the country, air conditioning is pretty much a necessity.
Want to find the perfect air-conditioned apartment to keep you cool? Check out our apartment finder to get started
