How to Stay Cool Without AC
In summer, severe storms or hurricanes can knock out power for days at a time. And, this is why you need to know how to stay cool without air conditioning.
Hopefully, you’ve taken steps to prepare for a power outage so you’re able to survive without electricity for several days. However, if the power goes out or your air conditioner quits, you need to take steps to help your family stay cool. This is especially important if you have a newborn or young child, someone with health conditions, or an elderly family member.
Why Prepare to Stay Cool Without Power
According to a 2018 report by the CDC, there are around 702 heat-related deaths each year in the United States, and men make up almost 70% of these deaths. However, if we were to experience a long-term power outage or severe heat wave, these numbers would likely be significantly higher.
For example, the 2003 European heatwave led to the hottest summer on record since 1540. It’s estimated that over 70,000 people died in Europe from heat exposure during July and August of that year.
There are many situations that can cause a short or long-term power loss in summer: severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, wildfires, and increased demand for electricity in a heatwave are just a few. Most areas in the country are at risk of summertime power loss due to heatwaves or other factors. And, knowing how to keep your family cool without power is just one more way you can be more self-reliant and less dependent on others.
10 Ways to Stay Cool Without AC
So, how can you stay cool without air conditioning?
1. Purchase Battery Powered Fans
A good battery-powered fan can help you feel 4 to 8 degrees cooler. However, it’s important to have a few stored away before you experience a power outage. If it’s summer and the power goes out, everyone is going to head to the stores looking for fans. If you show up late, all you’ll see are empty shelves.
The O2 Treva battery-powered fan costs around $50 for two, and they have good reviews on Amazon. Make sure you have plenty of extra batteries on-hand as well.
2. Use a Mister or Wet Bandanna
Another way to stay cool without AC is to mist your face and neck with water. Pairing the evaporative cooling effects of water with a battery-powered fan can help you cool down even faster. You can also soak a bandanna in water and tie it around your neck or wrist for quick cooling.
3. Build a Swamp Cooler
You can also build a swamp cooler to help stay cool without power. If it’s made well, a swamp cooler can blow out air as cool as 40 degrees F. But, what exactly is a swamp cooler?
A swamp cooler is a device that cools the air using water evaporation. And with a few simple supplies like a bucket or ice chest, a battery-powered fan, a small water pump, and some piping, you can make one yourself.
There are many different swamp cooler setups that range from simple to complex. To learn how to make a homemade swamp cooler, check out this great YouTube tutorial by desertsun02. The news team at NBC KGW8 in Portland, Ore. made a simple swamp cooler for $35 using a styrofoam ice chest and small fan. You can also find great instructions for making a solar powered swamp cooler at Off Grid World.
You might also want to check out this list of DIY air conditioners by Popular Mechanics. These homemade air conditioners can be run using batteries or solar panels, and use commonly-found supplies like milk cartons, styrofoam ice chests, and plastic coolers.
Note: Swamp Coolers Only Work in Low Humidity
It’s important to know that swamp coolers will only work in low-humidity environments. So, if you’re in the South in summer, don’t bother trying to make one of these.
I’m in Tennessee, which is the exact opposite of “low humidity environment.” Summers are so hot and humid here you sweat just sitting on the back porch doing nothing. So, I haven’t wasted any time or money trying to build a swamp cooler. However, if you’re in the Southwest, a swamp cooler would be an incredible device to have in your power-outage emergency kit.
4. Use Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains are an excellent way to keep your home cool without power because they block 85% to 95% of sunlight.
If you decide to invest in blackout curtains, go with a darker color, as these are more effective at blocking sunlight. You also need to purchase blackout curtains that are labeled “thermal insulated.” Thermal insulated curtains contain two or more layers to help reflect heat and prevent it from entering the room.
5. Shut Off Rooms
You’ll also stay cool without AC by shutting off rooms that are hotter than others. Usually, these are rooms that have a southern or western exposure. Keep the blinds or curtains closed and the doors shut to keep your home cooler.
6. Get Wet
If you still have water, you can stay cool without AC by taking a cool or lukewarm shower. You can also try soaking your bare feet in a bucket or pot of cool water.
This goes for children and babies as well. Bathe children with a cool, wet washcloth and let the water evaporate on their skin. Wet their shirts and shorts and let them sit outside in the shade while their clothing dries off.
If you have fun toys like kiddie pools, squirt guns, or water balloons, now’s the time to bring them out!
7. Cook Food Outside
If the power goes out and you have a gas stove, you might be tempted to use it to cook a meal for your family. However, this will only heat up your home and make conditions more miserable inside. Instead, fire up your grill, make a bonfire, or use a camp stove to cook outside.
You might also want to invest in a solar oven. We have the All American Sun Oven and we use it all the time to bake breads, meats, and casseroles, and steam foods. A sun oven is a wonderful investment because it allows you to cook your family a hot meal on a sunny day when the power is out.
8. Sleep Downstairs or Outside
Don’t forget that heat rises. If possible, have everyone in your family sleep downstairs to stay cooler. If you have a tent, you might be cooler setting it up and sleeping outside.
9. Hang Wet Sheets at Night
Once the sun goes down, open your bedroom windows to let in the cooler air. You can also wet extra sheets and hang them in front of the open windows. The evaporating water will act as an air conditioner and help keep the rooms cooler.
It’s thought that the Ancient Egyptians developed this technique over 4,000 years ago. Instead of sheets, they used wet reeds or linen fabric hung over doorways and windows to cool rooms at night.
10. Stay Hydrated
Make sure that you and your family stay hydrated. Drinking lots of liquids will help you stay cool without AC and ensure that you don’t suffer from dehydration. You’ll also want to stay away from alcohol and caffeine.
Last Word
Although you might not like to think about it, chances are high that you’ll lose power at least once this summer, which means you’ll need strategies to keep your family cool on a moment’s notice.
Start now purchasing what you need to stay cool without air conditioning, whether it’s bandannas or battery powered fans. Preparing in advance means that you won’t have to go out shopping exactly when everyone else in your community is doing the same.
