When temperatures rise outside, keeping your home cool can feel like a constant battle – especially during a heatwave. Air conditioning isn’t always an option, and when used alone it can become costly. Being strategic with your home cooling strategy can keep you comfortable and save you money. Read on to learn how to keep your house cool in the summer with or without AC.

In this guide:
The King of Cooling: Air Conditioners, Fans & More
How to Keep Your House Cool Without AC
How to Cool Down a Room Quickly
Frequently Asked Questions

The King of Cooling: Air Conditioners, Fans & More

When it comes to cooling your home quickly, air conditioners and fans will provide the best results. Here’s what you need to know about different cooling appliances and how to use them for optimal cooling.

Air Conditioners

If you have access to an air conditioner, this will be your best bet in keeping your home cool and comfortable during the summer months. Air conditioning can be especially helpful during heatwaves and will help keep your pets, children, and older people safe during extreme heat. Window air conditioners are easy to install in standard windows, and are removable to store away during the cooler months. If a window air conditioner isn’t allowed in your apartment, a portable air conditioner is a rental-friendly option.

Tip!

Check out these helpful guides for choosing an installing a new AC unit:
What Size Air Conditioner do I Need?
How to Install a Window AC Unit

Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioners

A ductless mini split AC unit is an energy-efficient option for air conditioning – and heating – in your home. This system consists of split indoor and outdoor units that work together to cool and heat your home. Unlike traditional window AC units, a mini split is a permanent unit and the indoor portion is typically mounted high up on your wall, leaving your windows free. While you can install a mini split on your own, you’ll likely want to hire an HVAC professional since it requires going through the exterior and interior walls of your home.

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a popular fixture in many living rooms and bedrooms. They can be installed anywhere where a ceiling light would be installed and many feature built-in light kits that function as overhead lighting as well. Ceiling fans can make a room feel cooler by moving air around to create a wind chill effect. Make sure your fan is installed to rotate counterclockwise, which will push cool air down towards you. If you’re thinking about adding a ceiling fan to your room use our guide to determine what size ceiling fan is best for your bedroom.

Portable Fans

If you need to add cooling power to your space in a pinch or want a super renter-friendly solution, a portable fan will do the trick. Portable fans are an affordable option and easy to add to multiple areas of your home to supplement other cooling techniques. Portable fans are great for moving cooler air around and work best when placed strategically – position one by an open window at night to bring cool air in or by your bedroom door to borrow air-conditioned air from other areas of your home. Portable fans also create a wind chill effect which can cool you down directly, so make sure it is pointing directly at the area or people you want to cool down.

Evaporative Coolers

If you live in a climate with dry heat, an evaporative cooler is a great energy-efficient way to cool your space. Evaporative coolers work by passing hot, dry air over water soaked pads that absorb some of the heat and expel cooler air. Evaporative coolers are rental-friendly freestanding units used inside and they are more energy-efficient than traditional refrigerant-based air conditioners.

Tip!

Learn more about this cooling technology with our guide: What is an Evaporative Cooler

How to Keep Your House Cool Without AC

Air conditioning isn’t always an option – at least not in every room. So how do you keep your house cool in the summer without it? We’ve got several tips to keep your house cool that don’t involve installing an AC unit.

Seal Air Leaks & Improve Insulation

Similar to how you would winterize your home to keep cold air out, you’ll want to make sure everything is sealed to keep hot air out during the day. Use weather stripping on windows and doors to make sure everything is sealed properly. Keeping doors closed to unused rooms and using draft excluders will stop you from losing cool air to unused areas of your home, and can also help you save on cooling costs.

Block Out Harsh Sunlight With Insulating Window Treatments

The summer sun beating down on your windows can quickly heat up your home. Use blinds and blackout curtains to keep the heat at bay during the day. Once the sun begins to set and isn’t beating directly on your windows, you can open up the blinds and curtains to let natural light in. Leaving blackout curtains closed while you’re out during the day will prevent you from coming home to a sweltering bedroom or living room. Installing awnings on the outside of your home to provide shade for windows that get direct sunlight is another way to reduce heat inside your home.

Avoid Using Your Oven During the Day

Reserve ovens are used at nighttime when outdoor temperatures are lower and you can pop your kitchen windows open. Using your oven during the heat of the day will fill your home with hot air that has nowhere to go. If you can, avoid oven use all together on particularly hot days and instead use an air fryer which gives off less heat, or cook outside on the grill for a tasty alternative that won't heat up your home.

Shade Outdoor Areas

Put up a shade structure or outdoor umbrella to give you and your pets a cool outdoor area to chill out on warmer days. Shade can lower the temperature of the air by 15° – 20° in the covered area. Placing a large patio umbrella, canopy, or shade sail can make your outdoor sitting area more comfortable on hot days. Place this shade strategically – positioning your patio umbrella or canopy so it also casts shade on windows will help keep things cooler inside as well.

Switch to Summer Linens

When the temperatures start to rise, swapping out bulkier bedding and throws for lighter materials will help you keep cool inside. Select bedding made from breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics like rayon, linen, and percale. Switching out your sheets and throws for these lighter materials will help keep your bed and sofa comfortable and cool to the touch. Use our guide to help you choose The Best Summer Bedding for Each Climate.

How to Cool Down a Room Quickly

If you need to cool down a room quickly, turning on an AC unit will always be the quickest and most efficient option. If that’s not possible you can try these cooling hacks to help you chill out fast.

Create a Cross-Breeze

Take advantage of night time temperatures and natural breezes from outdoors to cool down your house. Create a cross-breeze by opening two windows on opposite sides of the room or a window and a door to allow cooler air from outside to move through the room. If you only have one window to utilize, place a portable fan in front of it to help move the cool air through the room manually. Seal your windows and close off curtains to hold on to this cooler air for as long as possible during the day.

Try the Ice Bowl Trick

If you need some quick relief from the heat and don’t have an AC in your room you can take advantage of your portable fan’s ability to move air around. Place a bowl full of ice in front of a portable fan and position the airflow towards the area you want to cool down. This works like a DIY air conditioner as the fan pushes the cold air from the ice forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the best way to cool down a room?

If available, air conditioning or a ductless mini-split provides the fastest and most effective cooling. The best way to cool down a room is to block heat from entering, improve airflow, and reduce indoor heat sources. Close curtains or blinds during the day, use fans to circulate air or pull in cooler air at night, and turn off heat-producing electronics.

2. Are blackout curtains effective for keeping rooms cool?

Yes, blackout curtains can help keep rooms cooler by blocking sunlight and reducing heat buildup. Insulating or thermal blackout curtains are especially effective for south- and west-facing windows that receive direct sunlight. When closed during the hottest part of the day, they can noticeably reduce indoor temperatures.

3. How do you cool down a room with poor airflow?

To cool down a room with poor airflow, use fans to create artificial circulation. Place a fan near a window to push hot air out, or position one to pull cooler air in from another room. Sealing air leaks, decluttering vents, and keeping doors open can also improve air movement and cooling.

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