9 Ways to Keep Your House Cool Without A/C- A Cultivated Nest

Budget-friendly Ways to Cool Your Home in Summer.

As summer temperatures climb and energy bills soar, many of us are searching for smarter ways to stay comfortable at home without relying on the air conditioner 24/7. It’s no secret that skipping the A/C—even just part of the time—can put a noticeable dent in your monthly expenses. If you want to do the same, without sweltering in the summer heat, you’ll love these 9 Frugal Ways to Keep Your House Cool Without A/C!

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Fortunately, there are plenty of effective, budget-friendly strategies to help you keep your home cooler, even when you give your air conditioner a well-deserved rest. These time-tested and practical tips can make a surprising difference, from simple adjustments in your daily routine to easy home improvements that boost your home’s natural ability to beat the heat.

9 Frugal Ways to Keep Your House Cool Without A/C

Before you reach for the thermostat, try these creative and cost-effective tricks to maintain a comfortable home- and trim your energy bill:

Be Creative. Take inspiration from previous generations: blackout curtains, strategic window fans, and evening breezes are all time-honored ways to stay cool without modern gadgets.
Money Saving. Consider the potential for long-term savings; every hour your A/C stays off puts money back in your pocket and may help you save toward energy-efficient upgrades for the future, or just toward keeping your home heated and cozy in the winter.
Home Improvements. Small enhancements—like sealing drafts around doors and windows or installing reflective window film—can make a big impact in keeping the heat outside where it belongs.

1. Hang a damp towel by a window for a cool breeze.

Apartment Therapy recommends hanging a damp towel by a window for a cool breeze on those hot summer nights to cool down the house.

2. Keeping the Shades Closed

Keeping the shades closed is one of the easiest things to do to help keep the house cool on those hot summer days. This idea is by Blue I Styled.

3. Cold Rice Bag

A cold rice bag may be used for therapeutic purposes, but it can also be used to simply cool a person down on a blistering hot day. This one can be found at A Pinch Of Joy.

4. Focus On Temperature Control

When focusing on temperature control in your home it is important to consider how to best keep your home cool and up to date with insulation, windows, doors, and roofing. These ideas are from Craft Your Happiness.

5. Turn Off Electronics

Homesteading Hippy suggests one way to keep the heat level down in your home is to unplug or turn off the electronics not in use. We’ve really noticed a difference with this trick, especially with our computers!

6. How to Keep Your Home Cool in the Summer

These roller shades on the outside of the home block bad UV rays, are energy efficient as well as easy to install, and will help cool your home. This idea comes from Project Allen Designs on Hometalk.

7. Add Plants to Cool Things Down

Glue Sticks and Gumdrops states that not only do some plants help purify, but will also help cool the air. This handy process is called transpiration.

8. Ways to Keep Your Apartment Cool Without AC in the Summer

Popping your sheets in the freezer right before bed is one of the suggestions to avoid steaming hot nights of summer I would have never thought to try. This and other clever tips are on Apartment Therapy

9. An “Ice Fan” is the 10-Minute DIY That Can Get You Through the Most Scorching Summer Days

Apartment Therapy guides you through making an ice fan using a box fan and a bowl of ice. This delivers an ice-cold breeze which will cool you right down, no A/C required!

Which frugal ways to keep your house cool are you going to try?