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Air conditioning can be a great help in fighting summer heat, but its use also has its drawbacks. Improper maintenance of air conditioning can cause health problems, such as respiratory illnesses, worsening allergies, or asthma. Fortunately, there are ways to cool your apartment without the need for air conditioning. We bring you 15 simple tricks to keep a pleasant temperature in your apartment even during the hottest heat waves.
1. Blackout curtains
Use blackout curtains or blinds that, thanks to a special material, block 100 % of light. These curtains can reduce the room temperature by up to 33 %, which will significantly help keep the apartment cool.
2. Change textiles
In summer, swap heavy textiles for lighter fabrics, such as summer cotton. You can also try a buckwheat pillow, which allows air to pass through better and stays cooler.
3. Fan with ice
Place a bowl full of ice in front of a fan. The cold air will disperse around the room and create a pleasant cooling effect.
4. Reverse fan direction
Set the fan to a higher speed and run it counterclockwise. This trick will ensure that the air in the room feels cooler.
5. Replace bulbs
Replace traditional bulbs with energy-saving LED bulbs, which produce less heat and therefore do not raise the room temperature.
6. Cool the bed
Before sleeping, put a sheet in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes. A cold sheet will help you fall asleep more easily. Alternatively, you can place a bottle of ice-cold water at the foot of the bed.
7. Sleep on the floor
Place the mattress on the floor, which is usually the coolest part of the room. Sleeping there will be more comfortable than in an overheated bed.
8. Open windows after dark
After sunset, open the windows and let fresh air flow into the apartment. During the day, keep the windows closed to prevent heat from entering.
9. Cool your body
Use cold compresses or dampen a cotton cloth and apply it to your shoulders, forehead, or ankles. You can also soak your feet in cold water.
10. Keep blinds closed during the day
Keep blinds and curtains drawn during the day to reduce the amount of heat that enters the room through the windows.
11. Close doors
Close the doors in rooms where you want to keep a cooler temperature, especially the bedroom.
12. Open windows at night
Leave the windows open at night so that cooler night air can flow into the room. Window screens will prevent insects from getting in.
13. Push out warm air
In the evening, place a fan at the window and point it outwards. This will ensure the warm air leaves the room and cooler air enters.
14. Use a wet sheet
If the temperature in the apartment is unbearable, hang a wet sheet over an open window. It will help create a pleasant draft and lower the room temperature.
15. Turn on the fan while ventilating
When cooking, showering, or baking, turn on the fan and open the window so that the heat leaves the room as quickly as possible.
These simple tips can help you maintain a pleasant temperature in your apartment even during hot summer days, without having to use air conditioning.
