Comments on: 10 Ways to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/ Green and Natural Parenting Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:28:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kaitlyn Sosebee http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-16238 Kaitlyn Sosebee Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:16:00 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-16238 some of these are really great tips some of these are really great tips

]]> By: Marlies http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12183 Marlies Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:23:00 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12183 Thank for your idea's we do not have central air at all, in our house. We are going to try your tips like the wet t-shirt. one. And many more. Thank for your idea’s we do not have central air at all, in our house. We are going to try your tips like the wet t-shirt. one. And many more.

]]> By: Jenn http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12182 Jenn Fri, 28 May 2010 20:58:17 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12182 ooohhh...you should post a link to your solar oven...I'd love to try and make one too! I'm with you on the hair, I just started growing mine out again so can't imagine cutting it all off. However, am highly considering chopping my son's hair as he is one sweaty little kid when it's hot...i'm in love with his curls though :( ooohhh…you should post a link to your solar oven…I’d love to try and make one too! I’m with you on the hair, I just started growing mine out again so can’t imagine cutting it all off. However, am highly considering chopping my son’s hair as he is one sweaty little kid when it’s hot…i’m in love with his curls though :(

]]> By: Allison http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12181 Allison Tue, 25 May 2010 18:46:54 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12181 We in FL, and determined to keep our AC off for as long as possible. Every window except the small kitchen one has thick energy saving drapes or shades on it. As soon as we get up in the morning (8am and it's already 79 outside!) the windows get shut, and shades closed. Around 7:30pm when it's the same temp outside as in or lower, windows get opened back up. We also purchased 4 box fans that we put in the windows ($50 - 2 were bought for just a couple bucks at a thrift store). We put 2 on one side of the house facing in, and 2 at the other side of the house facing out. Works similarly to a whole house fan to get the air moving and house cooled off. Another tip - keep your feet cool. If it's hot out, your extremities are where you transfer the most heat. If you cool off your feet, you'll feel cooler overall as well. Step into that kiddie pool for a couple minutes with your kids! We in FL, and determined to keep our AC off for as long as possible. Every window except the small kitchen one has thick energy saving drapes or shades on it. As soon as we get up in the morning (8am and it’s already 79 outside!) the windows get shut, and shades closed. Around 7:30pm when it’s the same temp outside as in or lower, windows get opened back up. We also purchased 4 box fans that we put in the windows ($50 – 2 were bought for just a couple bucks at a thrift store). We put 2 on one side of the house facing in, and 2 at the other side of the house facing out. Works similarly to a whole house fan to get the air moving and house cooled off.

Another tip – keep your feet cool. If it’s hot out, your extremities are where you transfer the most heat. If you cool off your feet, you’ll feel cooler overall as well. Step into that kiddie pool for a couple minutes with your kids!

]]> By: Retta http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12180 Retta Sat, 01 May 2010 23:57:04 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12180 I tell ya what, I don't want to turn on the a.c., and I want to hold off as long as possibly can. We used box fans when I was a kid, that was all we had to keep cool. We did set them in the windows at night, and they helped A LOT!!!!! But you learn something new everyday. I did not know about opening cabinets at night, and the college kids using solar lights for inside at night is a REALLY GREAT IDEA... they are quite bright I have four them outside, but I will by some for inside use and they would probably come in handy in case of storm in case of power outage. Thank you everyone for your tips, I WLL BE USING THESE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS I can't get over how expensive it is to cool a home with a.c. I tell ya what, I don’t want to turn on the a.c., and I want to hold off as long as possibly can. We used box fans when I was a kid, that was all we had to keep cool. We did set them in the windows at night, and they helped A LOT!!!!! But you learn something new everyday. I did not know about opening cabinets at night, and the college kids using solar lights for inside at night is a REALLY GREAT IDEA… they are quite bright I have four them outside, but I will by some for inside use and they would probably come in handy in case of storm in case of power outage. Thank you everyone for your tips, I WLL BE USING THESE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS I can’t get over how expensive it is to cool a home with a.c.

]]> By: Squicky http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12179 Squicky Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:53:14 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12179 Your right tip number Five is so great my AC unit just went out but man that really works Your right tip number Five is so great my AC unit just went out but man that really works

]]> By: Cara Mirabella http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12178 Cara Mirabella Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:33:57 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12178 I live in a 1950's Cape Cod that doesn't have an attic - so the upstairs gets HOT HOT HOT! In order to be at all comfortable, we use the wall-unit air conditioner set at 78 and turn-on the ceiling fans. It cools off both bedrooms, bathroom and hallway doing this. I also open the top part of our double-hung window so the circulating hot air has someplace to escape. I live in a 1950′s Cape Cod that doesn’t have an attic – so the upstairs gets HOT HOT HOT! In order to be at all comfortable, we use the wall-unit air conditioner set at 78 and turn-on the ceiling fans. It cools off both bedrooms, bathroom and hallway doing this. I also open the top part of our double-hung window so the circulating hot air has someplace to escape.

]]> By: Nicky http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12177 Nicky Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:49:42 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12177 Your tip # 5 is great. Especially since using an electric dryer on a hot day does add some heat to your house that then makes the AC work harder to get rid of that heat. A dreaded double whammy! If you dry your laundry and clothes on a clothes drying rack that is set up under a ceiling fan and you will have saved a ton of energy by not using the clothes dryer at all. Your tip # 5 is great. Especially since using an electric dryer on a hot day does add some heat to your house that then makes the AC work harder to get rid of that heat. A dreaded double whammy!

If you dry your laundry and clothes on a clothes drying rack that is set up under a ceiling fan and you will have saved a ton of energy by not using the clothes dryer at all.

]]> By: Donna http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12176 Donna Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:20:29 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12176 I wish I could open my windows at night but there is a train about 1/2 mile away that goes by here all day and night and our dogs like to bark all night. In the spring and fall during the day I open the screened windows and door.We have ceiling fans in most of our rooms which helps a lot. I wish I could open my windows at night but there is a train about 1/2 mile away that goes by here all day and night and our dogs like to bark all night. In the spring and fall during the day I open the screened windows and door.We have ceiling fans in most of our rooms which helps a lot.

]]> By: Katharyn http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12175 Katharyn Thu, 28 May 2009 19:39:47 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12175 As a person who just moved from Seattle to Phoneix, thank you, thank you, thank you. For those of us who are still attached to cooking food - is there a place you can keep a crock pot where the heat won't be a big bother (like with the cars, or on the back pourch)? That way you still have your cooked meal, but your kitchen it's heated up. get a deferninator for your pets, if you can take out their undercoat they'll be much happier! As a person who just moved from Seattle to Phoneix, thank you, thank you, thank you.

For those of us who are still attached to cooking food – is there a place you can keep a crock pot where the heat won’t be a big bother (like with the cars, or on the back pourch)? That way you still have your cooked meal, but your kitchen it’s heated up.

get a deferninator for your pets, if you can take out their undercoat they’ll be much happier!

]]> By: Sommer http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12174 Sommer Wed, 27 May 2009 23:32:25 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12174 Our home feels like a sauna during the hot summer months (we don't have many in N. Michigan) and until two years ago we had no air conditioning. We've added ceiling fans, use our blinds and decided to only cool one part of house for sleeping purposes. We go outside, to the pool or use the sprinkler. It saves us money this way and the ceiling fans really do work! Our home feels like a sauna during the hot summer months (we don’t have many in N. Michigan) and until two years ago we had no air conditioning. We’ve added ceiling fans, use our blinds and decided to only cool one part of house for sleeping purposes. We go outside, to the pool or use the sprinkler. It saves us money this way and the ceiling fans really do work!

]]> By: jasmine http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12173 jasmine Wed, 27 May 2009 22:23:55 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12173 We hit the breaker to our stove. It's easier to make another plan or use the outdoor barbecue then go and switch the breaker. Opening and closing windows just becomes apart of the bedtime routine. Don't forget rain barrels for the garden. Thanks for the tips. We hit the breaker to our stove. It’s easier to make another plan or use the outdoor barbecue then go and switch the breaker. Opening and closing windows just becomes apart of the bedtime routine. Don’t forget rain barrels for the garden. Thanks for the tips.

]]> By: Sara http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12172 Sara Wed, 27 May 2009 22:00:18 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12172 Great ideas! My husband also installed working shutters on the windows with the most exposure. They are painted white to reflect the heat, and can be closed when the sun is beating down. We are also thinking of painting our roof white, since we live in the South with a long hot season, <a href="http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/makingithappen/no_regrets/coolroofs.html" rel="nofollow">to reflect the sun's radiant heat</a> <a href="http://cheapdiapermom.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Cheapdiapermom</a> Great ideas! My husband also installed working shutters on the windows with the most exposure. They are painted white to reflect the heat, and can be closed when the sun is beating down. We are also thinking of painting our roof white, since we live in the South with a long hot season, to reflect the sun’s radiant heat

Cheapdiapermom

]]> By: Stephanie - Green SAHM http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12171 Stephanie - Green SAHM Wed, 27 May 2009 20:42:06 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12171 I'm not, not, not cutting my hair! My solution is to keep it braided or pulled up during the summer. I love having long hair, but I know it's not for everyone. In general, great tips. We're planning a summer science project with the kids to make a solar oven. They get to learn about solar cooking, I get to cook without heating the house up. I’m not, not, not cutting my hair!

My solution is to keep it braided or pulled up during the summer. I love having long hair, but I know it’s not for everyone.

In general, great tips. We’re planning a summer science project with the kids to make a solar oven. They get to learn about solar cooking, I get to cook without heating the house up.

]]> By: Beccijo http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12170 Beccijo Wed, 27 May 2009 19:47:57 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12170 Try putting ice packs in front of the fan( put a towel under it). As it melts it will cool the air that the fan will blow. Buy them on sale and stock up the freezer, the fuller a freezer is the less energy it uses! Hope that helps! Beccijo http://www.thefairyring.etsy.com http://www.theenchantedcupboard.etsy.com http://www.theenchantedcupboard.1000markets.com http://thereluctantcitydweller.blogspot.com Try putting ice packs in front of the fan( put a towel under it). As it melts it will cool the air that the fan will blow. Buy them on sale and stock up the freezer, the fuller a freezer is the less energy it uses!
Hope that helps!
Beccijo
http://www.thefairyring.etsy.com
http://www.theenchantedcupboard.etsy.com
http://www.theenchantedcupboard.1000markets.com
http://thereluctantcitydweller.blogspot.com

]]> By: Kathy http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12169 Kathy Wed, 27 May 2009 17:15:25 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12169 Yay for this post!! I love all these tips. My mom used to walk around with a wet washcloth around her neck in the summer - I used to make fun of her when I was a kid, but now I do the same! :) Your tip about not cooking indoors is a great one. We use our grill a lot in the summer and if I want to cook indoors, I try to use my small plug-in electric frying pan. It doesn't heat up the house and uses less energy than my stove top. If I need to bake something, I try to plan ahead and do it after dark when it's a bit cooler. I may have to try that solar light trick - I love soft lighting and bet this would work perfect. And one more tip - keep the TV off! There is so much to do during the summer months that there's really no need to sit in front of the television - get out and enjoy nature instead. Yay for this post!! I love all these tips. My mom used to walk around with a wet washcloth around her neck in the summer – I used to make fun of her when I was a kid, but now I do the same! :)

Your tip about not cooking indoors is a great one. We use our grill a lot in the summer and if I want to cook indoors, I try to use my small plug-in electric frying pan. It doesn’t heat up the house and uses less energy than my stove top. If I need to bake something, I try to plan ahead and do it after dark when it’s a bit cooler.

I may have to try that solar light trick – I love soft lighting and bet this would work perfect.

And one more tip – keep the TV off! There is so much to do during the summer months that there’s really no need to sit in front of the television – get out and enjoy nature instead.

]]> By: Melitsa http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12168 Melitsa Wed, 27 May 2009 12:50:45 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12168 During the morning we open all the windows on the shaded side and let the hot air out. During the evening we do it again and usually there's a little breeze and that helps blow out the hot air. We totally miss shutters. During the morning we open all the windows on the shaded side and let the hot air out. During the evening we do it again and usually there’s a little breeze and that helps blow out the hot air. We totally miss shutters.

]]> By: andiscandis http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12167 andiscandis Wed, 27 May 2009 12:46:02 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12167 And plant trees!!! It may take a while to pay off, but the mature trees that shade our house keep us from needing an A/C at all! On a hot day when you step into our shady yard, you can feel the temperature drop 15 degrees. And plant trees!!! It may take a while to pay off, but the mature trees that shade our house keep us from needing an A/C at all! On a hot day when you step into our shady yard, you can feel the temperature drop 15 degrees.

]]> By: simplifiedmom http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12166 simplifiedmom Wed, 27 May 2009 12:40:11 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12166 Great suggestions!! I can't wait to get started on some of these ideas :) I especially love the solar lights and frozen fruit kabobs! My kiddos will love them. Caroline *mommy of two Great suggestions!! I can’t wait to get started on some of these ideas :) I especially love the solar lights and frozen fruit kabobs! My kiddos will love them. Caroline *mommy of two

]]> By: Angel http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/05/26/10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/#comment-12165 Angel Wed, 27 May 2009 12:14:02 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2847#comment-12165 I never thought of bringing the solar lights inside for use in the evening. That's an awesome idea! I never thought of bringing the solar lights inside for use in the evening. That’s an awesome idea!

]]>