Comments on: How to stay cool without air conditioning

By: Banana

Banana — Sun, 04 May 2008 03:03:26 +0000

You can get solar shades for the outsides of your windows! Quite a few homes here in Las Vegas have those!

By: Kasey

Kasey — Fri, 02 May 2008 22:49:55 +0000

If only I had read these tips last year, I just moved into a house with central air recently for the first time in my life, and I love it. Of course that doesn't mean that I couldn't use some of these ideas to save on energy though.I remember when the realtor said that the house had a brand new hvac system, I just about hugged her. :)

By: Dawn

Dawn — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:47:12 +0000

Good ideas! We don't have central air and until I got window AC for my bedroom I used to take a spray bottle of water and spray my bed before I laid down. I'd turn on the ceiling fan and it would cool me enough so I could fall asleeep.Dawn's last blog post..The Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box Review

By: CindyS

CindyS — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:59:55 +0000

Not having any a/c, this is a great post for me. My house really only gets hot in the late afternoons when the sun is beating in the windows. I will try the blankets. Someone told me that you can also put aluminum foil over the windows in the afternoons to reflect the heat back. Hmmmm, maybe one of those space blankets instead of shades.CindyS's last blog post..Starting a New Business: My Son Actually Listened!

By: sue

sue — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:33:33 +0000

My father has taught me that once you turn on the AC, leave it on. It dosn’t really cool the air so much as remove the moisture (like a dehumidifier). So once it has the house all moisture free, it runs at its most efficient (and lowest cost). So if you turn it off one day to get some fresh air or b/c you think you will save money, that’s not true. The poor thing has to start all over again.

Like the furnace, the best thing is to turn on the air and set it at a steady temperature. Go outside for fresh air.

I like the tip about going somewhere and using their AC … like the library.

By: Erica

Erica — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:27:31 +0000

Covering the windows with blankets is a really good one. I did this for my son’s room last night.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:22:20 +0000

These are great ideas! One night it was so hot my husband and I got mad and threw water on each other. Then we sat around partially wet and that was the best way I’ve found to stay cool here in SC. There are also these bandanas called “Cool Downz” that are filled with crystals that expand when they absorb water. Then they let it gradually evaporate and it’s cooling in the same way. They’re about five bucks and I’d say they’re worth it, particularly if you’re pregnant or have to be out in the heat, etc.

By: Jendeis

Jendeis — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:11:13 +0000

Even if you are lucky enough to have an A/C unit, you can do things to reduce the cost of running it. Akin to putting up the blankets on the windows, make sure to close drapes and blinds during summer days, so that the A/C doesn’t have to work as much to keep the house cool. Try closing off vents to rooms that you use infrequently. No need to keep that guest bedroom an icebox if no one’s there.