CHEAP EASY EFFECTIVE WAY to COOL HOME that doesn't have AC

[zooks]

Actually its a good idea even if you have AC as it will cut down on energy consumption.

This definitely works. All that is necessary is to cover cardboard with tin foil and press it close to windows that face the sun. If necessary brace it to keep it pressed to the glass.

Put them up in the morning and remove them when the sun is no longer beating down. If you don't have cardboard you can use foam core sheets that can be bought at dollar stores

Don't tape foil directly to glass as it bakes on and is next to impossible to remove the baked on glue. The other advantage to covering cardboard is that they are easily removed when the sun sets.

Another way to keep cool is to have a pan of cool water by your chair - either keep your feet in it or just dip your feet in it. Cooling the feet is unbelievably effective way to cool down.

If you have a fan direct at your feet - you'll immediately feel relief.

[in2herbs]

1. If you have energy efficient windows I'd speak with a window mfg before blocking the sun

with foil or anything else. I just replaced all the windows in my house and the professional window installer told me that putting the install it yourself tinting on our energy efficient windows destroyed the energy efficiency of the windows -- so we won't be doing that again.

Stepping into the shower throughout the day and completely wetting your hair and then letting it air dry in front of a fan is good, along with feet in cold water. Let your body release the heat through the skin -- don't wear shoes and socks, long pants or long sleeve tops.

When I have to work outside (for several hours) in the extreme SW desert heat I am always using the hose to soak my hair and shirt. Right now it's 96 degrees and 46 humidity, a "feels like" temp of about 101+ and its only 10 am.

Water is important, so are electrolytes. Juice is better than soda.

[CrispyQ]

2. Cold water pedicures in the summer!

I wet my dog's head with a spray bottle. At first she hated it, but then she learned to sit in front of the fan & cool off. I spritz myself with water & drink lots of it, too.

[Blue Owl]

3. Also, do not look at pictures or news videos of Donald Trump

It raises blood pressure and hot-headedness...

[Liberty Belle]

4. Cool a T-shirt in an ice chest or refrigerator, then put it on.

It's refreshing without getting you all wet.

Also drink lots of cold liquids throughout the day.

[Ohiogal]

5. Do not cook.

[yonder]

7. That's the running battle in our house.

My very dear wife loves to cook. She thinks nothing of firing up the oven on a hot day. Drives me nuts.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

12. Modern stoves simply don't heat up even the kitchen very much.

And by modern I mean a stove that is less than 30, maybe even 40 years old.

Of course, if you leave the oven door open after baking, well that's really dumb. But even cooking on the stove top simply doesn't warm up the room.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. the fan direct at your feet does work.

been using it all during this heat wave, little 18 in. box fan.
I can keep the A/c set at a higher temp, using ceiling and box fans.

[AllaN01Bear]

8. i live in a small apartment and we cant do things like that .

however , i keep the drapes , mine and the mini blinds theirs closed and the drapes semi closed as i cant stand being completly shut up. when i was in the los angles area as a kid before we had a window ac, wed put pots of water with a fan over the pot and that would cool down the room. others on this thread have good suggestins as well. do any of you remember thermal drapes ?
used to be able to get them. anyone know of a good cheep source for them?

[zooks]

13. I too live in an apartment. Not sure why leaning tin foil against a window

during a blistering heat wave is something you wouldn't be allowed to do

[pansypoo53219]

9. i worked at a stained glass studio w/ no ac. i would get my shirt wet when i soldered. + bare feet.

i learned ages ago. woven fabric way cooler than tanks tops. i bought resale shirts, preferably rayon. cut the collar + sleeves off.
at home i get my hair wet too. so far the expected heat wave has not hit milw yet, but sun came out.
yesterday so nice + the sour cherries perfect, i made myself a cherry tart. in the toaster oven.

[Fritz Walter]

11. OK, this isn't exactly cheap, but...

The window treatment option might be worthy of an investment.

I live in northeast Florida. In a house that is 80+ years old, and of the 23 windows, 6 are the original (leaky) counter-weighted standard windows (and most of those were painted-shut 20+ years ago).

About 5 years ago, I had “cellular” window shades installed in 20 of the 23 windows. The cellular shades provide fabric-enclosed horizontal cells, which act as insulation against solar heat. For those that aren’t “blackout” design (allowing NO light or heat through the fabric, ideal for bedrooms), I get good ambient light, without the heat and bleaching effects. Haven’t measured the difference in electricity costs before/after, but the comfort level is markedly improved (over the vinyl shades). And the lowering/raising of the shades is as easy as pulling a string.

Those facing heat wave conditions in the Midwest and along the East Coast have my empathy. But I would encourage everyone to consider looking at long-term solutions. Global climate change is upon us. It ain’t going away, at least not anytime soon. A few dollars spent now may save hundreds or more as we swelter through the foreseeable future.

[crazytown]

14. Tin foil?

It might work, but ...

[zooks]

15. LOL.