Top 5 Ways To Keep Cool Without AC

It’s hot.

I love practically everything about Colorado Springs, with one exception: the lack of air conditioning in homes. Only around 1/3 of homes in Colorado Springs have AC, and I’m left wondering why. I grew up in Kansas, where the humidity and heat made AC a must from May through September.

While I wouldn’t find it necessary to run the AC quite so much here in the Springs, I have to admit that when inside temperatures creep to 80º almost every afternoon in the Springs, we all get pretty grouchy and unproductive.  I want my air conditioning!

But, since a $3,000 air conditioning installation isn’t in the budget this summer, here’s my Top 5 Ways To Keep Cool Without An Air Conditioner:

Cool the house at night, keep it closed during the day.

Extensive testing in our home has proved that in order to keep it at 80º or below, this is a must.  Our routine goes like this: around 5 PM, start checking the outside temperature.  As soon as outside is cooler than inside, open all the windows and use box fans to pull the cool air in and push the hot air out.

If you go to bed before the house cools to 70º or less, you’ll need to either leave the windows open all night, or set an alarm to get up and 5 AM and run the same routine.

Yes, we are a little fanatical about this but it’s better than basking in a 90º house all day.  If you’d like to contribute to our air conditioner fund, please let me know. :)

Bum off someone else’s AC.

You don’t have to bug your friends every afternoon.  Why not go grocery shopping and make absolutely, 100% sure that the gallon of milk you’re buying is the farthest date possible?

Of course, the grocery store isn’t the only place with an AC (just the only place with a walk-in refrigerator).  Hang out at the mall, the library, a coffee shop…

Clean out your freezer.

Oh yes, I did.  It’s got to be done anyhow, why not make sure to clean out your freezer and frig on the hottest day of the year?

Head to the basement.

Finished or not, the basement is likely the coolest part of your house.  For those of us that have laundry rooms in the basement, it’s a great time to get some laundry done.  Or, why not move the ironing board or computer downstairs for the summer?

I’m out of ideas.

It’s so hot today I can’t even think of any more ideas.  What are your top ways to keep cool without an air conditioner?