10 Easy Ways to Cool Down a Room Without AC

If you’re already dreading summer because you don’t have air conditioning, this guide for how to cool down a room without AC is here to help. Simple things like keeping window blinds shut, hanging blackout curtains, and using cooling sheets can make a world of difference. And if you live in an area with high humidity levels, purchasing portable box or floor fans and investing in a dehumidifier that sucks moisture out of the room, can make your home feel more comfortable.

Whether you’re renting or installing air conditioning in your home simply isn’t in the budget right now, here are 10 simple ways to cool down a room without it.

1. Keep window blinds shut.

Prevent sunlight from streaming in and heating up your space by keeping window blinds shut whenever possible. Make it a habit to close all blinds every time you leave the house, so rooms have a chance to cool down while you are out.

According to the Department of Energy, 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows. Interior window attachments such as blinds are essential for cooling rooms without air conditioning, as they help reduce unwanted solar heat gain through windows on scorching hot days.

2. Hang blackout curtains.

Blackout curtains don’t just block light from coming in, they’re also effective at keeping heat out. Unlike sheer curtain panels, blackout curtains are made up of several layers of tightly-woven fabric and sometimes include a thermal layer that helps maintain room temperature.

3. Switch to cooling bedding.

As soon as outdoor temperatures start rising, it’s time to pack away the flannel bed sheets and switch to cooling materials. To avoid waking up in a puddle of sweat on a hot summer night, opt for cooling bed sheets with moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties. Stick with cooling materials such as cotton percale and linen, and stay away from microfiber, fleece, flannel, and any synthetic fabrics.

4. Avoid unnecessary heat.

This is not the time to slow-roast a meal in the oven for hours on end! Avoid increasing the temperature in an already hot space by minimizing unnecessary heat sources. This is the season for quick meals and no-bake desserts—or take the cooking outdoors and serve up summer feasts, courtesy of the grill. Another household appliance to avoid overusing during a heatwave? A dryer. Whenever possible, air dry washed laundry to avoid introducing unnecessary heat.

5. Apply window film.

In addition to blinds and blackout curtains, you can apply film to insulate windows and eliminate excessive heat. Window films range from transparent versions that require professional installation to inexpensive and removable films you can apply yourself. Both allow light to filter in, but help reduce the amount of heat that floods your space.

6. Invest in a dehumidifier.

It’s not just the high temperatures that can make a room without air conditioning feel unbearable—high humidity levels play a role, too. Invest in a dehumidifier and it’ll suck excessive moisture out of the air to help you stay cool. Even though the appliance sales tend to rise in the summer, a dehumidifier comes in handy year-round, whether in a damp basement or a musty laundry room.

7. Use fans.

There are a variety of fans you can use to cool down a room, even if you don’t have AC. According to the Department of Energy, ceiling fans are the most effective type of circulating fan. Just make sure they’re running counterclockwise so they produce a cooling breeze. If it’s hotter inside than it is outside, place a box fan in an open window with the air blowing out to cool the room. Once it cools down outside, floor fans in front of open windows can also be used to distribute a cool breeze throughout a hot space.

8. Check window and door seals.

Before it gets excessively hot outside, check window and door seals to ensure you’re not accidentally inviting heat in. Replace damaged seals and use caulk and weather stripping tape to seal additional holes, gaps, and cracks.

9. Open windows at night and create a cross breeze.

Once the temperatures fall at night, open windows that are located across from each other to create a pleasant cross-breeze. You can enhance the cooling effect by placing box fans in the windows. This time, you’ll want to point the fans inward to invite the cool air in.

10. Don’t leave lights on unnecessarily.

If you’re used to leaving ceiling, under-cabinet, and decorative lights on all day long, avoid doing so during the warmer months. While LED light bulbs don’t generate huge amounts of heat, incandescent bulbs turn 90% of their energy into heat (and only 10% into light!), so turning them off is a simple way to cool a space down.