How to Cool Your House Without Using an Air Conditioner

Whether you don’t own an air-conditioning unit or just want to keep energy costs down, here are some ways to beat the summer heat and keep your house cool:

1. 1. Create barriers from the sun. Creating a barrier between your house and the afternoon sun can help tamper the steady indoor heat during warmer seasons. There are many ways to make shades for your house: You can install blinds, curtains (both regular and blackout curtains), or window films to keep the indoors cool, while shade trees, an awning, or even creeping vines can help block the sun from the outside. Be sure to shade any west-facing windows that receive intense direct sunlight in the afternoon.
2. 2. Set up a cooling current. Still air can make your home feel hot and stuffy. Encouraging airflow can help keep your home cool on those blisteringly hot summer days. For better air circulation, open windows on opposite sides of your room or home, and set up box fans in both windows. Set up the box fan on the cooler side of your house (usually the north- or east-facing window) to pull outside air into your place. Set up the fan on the warmer side of your home (usually the west- or south-facing window) to pull the hot air outside. This steady air current running through your house will disperse still air, making your house feel cooler.
3. 3. Save the chores for the cooler hours. Household appliances like ovens, stovetops, washer and dryer units, and dishwashers can generate a lot of heat and quickly warm up your house. When possible, avoid performing chores that involve these types of appliances until nighttime, when the cooler temperatures outside will help counteract the appliance’s warmth.
4. 4. Opt for ovenless dinners. Even if your home has central air or a reliable A/C unit, it can still be difficult to keep the kitchen cool in the summer when using the oven. During weeks with extreme heat, replace an oven-baked meal with one that doesn’t require heat for a few nights—for instance, you make an arugula avocado salad, cold soups like gazpacho, sandwiches, or even take-out.
5. 5. Create a DIY cool breeze. On hot afternoons when the heat is especially daunting, you can create a DIY cool breeze with a box fan and a mixing bowl of ice or cold water. Place the bowl of ice water in front of your box fan, which will blow over the cool water, slightly cooling the air before it reaches you.
6. 6. Change the direction your ceiling fan spins. Many ceiling fans have switches that will determine which direction they spin—clockwise will pull the air up to the ceiling, while counterclockwise will push air down to the ground. During warmer seasons, switch your ceiling fan to the counterclockwise setting—the steady breeze will help keep your body cool and dry.
7. 7. Switch to fluorescents or LEDs. Different lightbulbs generate heat at different temperatures so picking a light source that generates less heat is optimal for hot days. For instance, incandescent bulbs will generate more heat the longer they’re in use. To keep your house cooler with the lights on, opt for fluorescents or, even better, LEDs, which are more energy-efficient, and produce heat at a lower temperature than other bulbs.
8. 8. Don’t skip the insulation. If you own your place, a great way to keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter is to ensure that you have the proper insulation in your walls and weatherstripping around your doors and windows.
9. 9. Opt for lightweight sheets. To keep cool at night, swap flannel or polyester sheets in favor of linen or light cotton sheets. A cold shower before bed will also lower your body temperature and help you feel cooler in bed as you fall asleep.

Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by masters, including Frank Gehry, Will Wright, Annie Leibovitz, Kelly Wearstler, Ron Finley, and more.