Chill Without the Bill: Tips for How to Keep a Room Cool Without AC

With summers in Minnesota becoming increasingly intense, learning how to keep a room cool without air conditioning (AC) can work wonders. If your AC unit is broken, if you want to prevent a spike in your summer energy bills, or if you want sustainable options to reduce your carbon footprint, our team here at Gatewood Apartments has compiled a list of convenient tips to transform your apartment into a chill oasis even on the hottest of days.

Block the Sun: The Best Way to Keep a Room Cool Without AC

The best way to keep a room cool without AC is to prevent it from getting hot in the first place. Sunlight streaming into a room can make it 10-20 degrees hotter internally. Close all blinds, curtains, and shades during the day, especially south- and west-facing windows that have the most intense sunlight for the longest period.

Efficiency Vermont notes that light-colored window coverings are better than dark ones because they reflect heat rather than absorb it. This doesn't mean you have to go out and buy new shades. Light-colored towels or sheets hung over windows do the trick for budget-friendly aficionados. For larger apartments with huge window space, consider investing in blackout curtains or purchasing reflective window film that adheres directly to the glass for more robust capabilities.

Replace Your Bulbs and Electronics

Incandescent light bulbs waste 90% of the energy used to power them by converting it into heat. This means that your rooms feel hotter than they should be. The Family Handyman suggests upgrading to LED lightbulbs that take the same wattage for energy but emit significantly less heat, which means your rooms with lights will feel cooler, and you'll experience savings on your electric bill.

Electronics create a great deal of heat, so unplug them when you're not using them. Computers, gaming systems, and televisions emit heat even in sleep mode. Similarly, consider moving lamps and electronics out of high-traffic areas since they might create more discomfort.

Master the Art of Venting

Cooling a room without an AC unit is all about airflow. Open windows across your entire apartment from dawn to dusk to cross-ventilate. By having windows on opposite sides of your apartment open, you'll push hot air out and, at the same time, draw in cooler air temperatures from outside, naturally cooling your hot apartment.

Fans can accentuate this concept. Place a fan blowing out in the hottest window in your entire apartment and then place a fan blowing in the coolest window to draw in that fresh air. Not only will you cool off a few degrees this way, but it's much cheaper than having the AC running all day.

Optimize Your Cooking and Daily Habits

Cooking is less than ideal as the heat you generate on top of your apartment's already overwhelming heat makes things worse. Avoid cooking in the hottest hours of the day. If necessary, attempt to forgo cooking during a heat wave entirely. Prepare no-cook meals, microwave, or grill outside if you can. If you must prepare food, do so in the morning or at night when outdoor temperatures are cooler, and try to do so as quickly as possible.

UBC Beyond explains we cool off by taking cooler baths/showers which also adds necessary humidity to dry air. Keep bedroom doors closed during the day in order to maintain cooler rooms for when you're spending time sleeping in those areas.

Creative Cooling Techniques That Work

You'd be surprised how much DIY AC can do for you. Place a bowl of ice in front of a fan to create an icy mist. Freeze water bottles and keep them at pulse points (wrists and neck) to lower your body temperature. Wet towels and place them around your neck for instant relief. When it comes time to sleep, you may not be sleeping well but you can attempt the "Egyptian method." Soak your sheet or towel and use it as a blanket; it will evaporate against your body, cooling you down while providing a little extra humidity.

Escape the Heat: Cool Places in Waite Park

Here at Gatewood Apartments, there are plenty of cool places to escape the summer heat. Our community boasts its very own private swimming pool where residents can play, relax, and stay cool throughout the year. Schedule your tour today and discover a new vision of home at Gatewood Apartments, Waite Park’s premier living community.