Growing up, we didn’t have air conditioning.
If you grew up with central AC, that probably sounds miserable. Honestly, some days it was. I remember lying in bed with a fan blowing directly on me, hoping a breeze would drift through the open windows before I finally fell asleep. We planned our days around the weather, learned which rooms stayed the coolest, and knew exactly when to throw open the windows before sunrise.
Back then, I thought everyone lived like that.
On top of that, my Pappap grew up during the Great Depression, and if there was one thing he hated, it was wasting money. Even after air conditioning became common, he was always looking for simple, practical ways to stay comfortable without watching the electric meter spin out of control. He taught us that most problems didn’t need an expensive solution. They just needed a little creativity.
Looking back, I’m actually grateful I grew up that way.
Those summers taught me dozens of little tricks that still work today. Whether you’re trying to lower your electric bill, your air conditioner isn’t keeping up, or you simply don’t have AC, these old fashioned tips can make your home feel noticeably cooler without spending a fortune.
1. Keep the Sun Out Before It Heats Up Your House
One thing we learned quickly was that once the afternoon sun started pouring through the windows, it was almost impossible to cool the house back down.
We’d close the curtains and blinds during the hottest part of the day, especially on the south and west sides of the house. It made a much bigger difference than I realized as a kid, and it’s still one of the first things I do today.
2. Open the Windows Before Sunrise
One of my favorite memories is waking up early to that cool morning air flowing through the house.
As soon as the outside temperature dropped below the temperature inside, we’d open windows on opposite sides of the house to let the cool air sweep through. Then, before the day started heating up, we’d close everything back up to trap that cooler air inside.
3. Make Your Own Cross Breeze
If you have two fans, you can recreate what we used to do naturally with the wind.
Place one fan in a window blowing hot air outside while another fan on the opposite side of the house pulls cooler air in. It’s one of the cheapest ways to make your entire house feel more comfortable.
4. Skip the Oven Whenever You Can
My grandma certainly wasn’t turning on the oven during a heat wave if she could avoid it.
Summer was the season for slow cooker meals, sandwiches, fresh fruit, potato salad, pasta salad, or grilling outside. Every degree matters when you’re trying to keep a hot house cool.
5. Sleep with Lightweight Cotton Sheets
Heavy comforters were packed away as soon as summer arrived.
Breathable cotton sheets helped us stay much cooler than heavier fabrics that trapped heat all night long.
6. Cool Your Pulse Points
This is another trick I learned years ago.
A cool washcloth on your neck, wrists, behind your knees, or ankles can lower your body temperature surprisingly quickly without needing to cool the whole room.
7. Freeze Your Pillowcase
If you’ve never tried this, you’re in for a treat.
Pop your pillowcase or even your pillow into a plastic bag and place it in the freezer for about an hour before bed. It won’t stay cold all night, but those first few minutes are absolutely wonderful after a hot summer day.
8. Turn Ceiling Fans the Right Direction
This is one of those things a lot of people never think about.
During the summer, your ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise. That pushes air downward and creates the breeze that helps your body cool itself.
9. Turn Off Things That Produce Heat
One thing Pappap was always reminding us about was not wasting electricity.
TVs, computers, lamps, gaming systems, and even phone chargers create heat. Turning off anything you aren’t using keeps your home a little cooler while saving money at the same time.
10. Remember That Heat Rises
If your home has multiple floors, spend more time downstairs during the hottest hours of the day.
As kids, we naturally migrated to the coolest rooms in the house, and now I realize there was actual science behind it.
Continue with additional tips like wearing light colored clothing, drinking plenty of water, taking cool showers, hanging damp sheets near open windows, cooking outdoors, making homemade popsicles, visiting the library during peak afternoon heat, and closing off unused rooms.