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6 Alternatives To Air Conditioning

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Climate controlled flats/houses are a prerequisite for tenants taking up units. When temperatures are sweltering, the last thing anyone needs is not being comfortable indoors. Whether or not you have a central air conditioning system at home, it is possible to keep a cooled down environment indoors during those hot summer days.

Here are six alternatives to air conditioning that you should utilise at home.

1. Open Windows
Much as it is hard to believe, there was a time when all across the UK the only source of cold air was through open windows. The concept of windows as air conditioners is still applicable but requires a level of thought.

It helps to know about the wind direction to efficiently funnel cooling air indoors. You will want to open the windows that have direct access to the cooled down air and one that is directly opposite it. The purpose is to create a funnelling effect, and if you have a skylight open it up for a cooling "chimney effect."

2. Use Fans
Portable fans make for a good option for localised or room cooling. Often, you will only need to keep a cooled down environment in the rooms with heavy use.

Go for an oscillating fan and place it near a window. If you have ceiling fans, use them as well and set them to turn anticlockwise for maximum efficiency.

3. Use Appliances With Low-Heat Emissions
Household appliances play a role in increasing indoor temperatures, and it makes things worse during those hot summer days. You will want to switch to using low-heat emission household equipment to maintain cooler temperatures.

For instance, use your slow cooker as opposed to your oven which will emit additional heat. Alternatively, you can also choose to grill outside and prevent the heat build-up indoors altogether.

4. Draw Your Curtains
As unconventional as it may sound, closing your curtains can keep things cooler indoors. It takes the combination of tracking the sun throughout the day and closing the curtains where the sun hits directly.

When you close up a curtain, open the window directly opposite it to allow in an indirect light source that has less heat. In the long run, get heavier drapes for maximum effectiveness.

5. Cool Down The Subjects
The residents of your home are the ones who need cooling down during a hot summer day and not the rooms within your home. Go for an inside-out cooling effect targeting keeping you and your family cool rather than your home.

Some of the ways to do it include having popsicles, ice, and plenty of water at hand. Have some frozen juice bars at hand as well and if all else fails, go for a dip in the local pool if possible. Another alternative is to place ice packs within a washcloth and use it to cool down your wrists, neck and knees.

6. Keep Your Bedding Cool
Everyone prefers a lower temperature at night when sleeping but it is next to impossible to get this temperature during summer. However, a way about it is to freeze your bedding before bed.

Another unconventional but highly effective way of keeping cool at night. We do not mean that you should freeze your bedding to ice, but place them in zip-lock bags and into the freezer for an hour or so before bed.