The house I currently live in was built on the outskirts of Milwaukee in 1941–which means it does not have central air-conditioning. In the ten years we’ve lived here, the lack of A/C has only bothered us for about two weeks every August. We can power through those hot, sticky days with window air conditioners in each of the three bedrooms, and before we know it, we’re back to complaining about the snow.
But like many other parts of the world, our little corner of Wisconsin got unexpectedly toasty in late June and early July. Installing the window A/C units earlier than usual was not a big deal for us, but cooling down wasn’t so easily accomplished for many others.
In some cases, the heat wave and its associated weather conditions knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of homes, leaving people unable to use the A/C even if their homes came equipped with it. Meanwhile, most European buildings aren’t set up to withstand this kind of heat and do not generally feature air-conditioning, which is why the high temperatures are leaving a worrisome death toll.
Knowing how to cool yourself down quickly, efficiently, and cheaply is not just a financial benefit. It could also be a matter of life or death. Here’s what you need to know about beating the heat if air-conditioning isn’t available.
Know the warning signs
The dangers of excessive heat can feel less dire than the risks posed by cold weather, in part because summer is the party season featured in Will Smith music videos. And while cold-related deaths do outnumber heat-related deaths by a ratio of nearly 9 to 1, that does not make the risks posed by high temperatures any less dangerous. The Centers for Disease Control reports that more than 700 people die from extreme heat in the U.S. every year.
That’s why it’s so important to know the early warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. These include:
- Muscle cramps
- Headaches and dizziness
- Fatigue and weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Agitation
- A body temperature of up to 104℉
- Seizures or coma
At the first sign of these symptoms, you need to get the person to a hospital and work on keeping them cool until that time.
Frugal strategies for keeping cool
There are two basic dilemmas when it comes to living without A/C in the middle of a brutal heat wave: figuring out how to cool your body and how to cool your home.
You need both types of cooling strategies. Not only do you need ways to regulate your body temperature in case of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, but you also need to make your home more comfortable so the heat wave doesn’t become a waking nightmare.
Here are several free or low-cost strategies for each type of cooling.
Stay hydrated
This may be an obvious one, but drinking enough water is one of the best ways to stay cool and avoid heat-related illness. This is especially important during blistering heat because by the time we feel thirsty, we’re already behind in fluid replacement.
Repurpose an old sock
Fill a clean sock with uncooked rice, tie off the end, and place it in the freezer. Once it’s nice and frozen, take it out and drape it around your neck like the world’s least sexy boa. You can also put the sock/cooling sachet between your sheets to help cool them off right before bedtime. Make several of these so you can change them out as each one warms up.
Freeze your undies
If you didn’t feel weird enough putting rice-filled socks in the freezer, you may also want to stash your undies in the icebox, as well. Back in 2015, researchers compared the pre-cooling effects of drinking a slushy vs wearing frozen underwear before engaging in strenuous hot-weather exercise. The study concluded that the chilled unmentionables offered the longest cooling effects for the study participants.
Take lukewarm showers
An ice-cold shower or bath may seem like the more obvious choice for a cool down, but Australia’s Swinburne University of Technology explains that lowering our skin’s temperature actually increases our core body temperature. Since the skin has become cold, there’s less blood flowing to it, which keeps more heat inside the body, leading to an overall core body temperature increase.
That’s why the Australians recommend a shower that’s about 33℃ (that’s about 91℉, for those of us who don’t speak metric). It may feel warm or uncomfortable while you’re in the shower, but it will lower your overall body temperature and feel more comfortable afterward.
Block out the sun
Closing curtains and blinds against the sun can help keep your home more comfortable during a heat wave. If you don’t have thick curtains, consider putting cardboard or aluminum foil over the glass to help protect your home from the heat.
Put your mattress directly on the floor
Taking your mattress off its frame and laying it on the floor can help you sleep cooler when the heat is unbearable. Hot air rises, so sleeping lower to the ground can help you feel a little cooler.
That said, do take some precautions if you’re going to emulate the 20-something bachelor bed. Lay something down on the floor to protect the underside of the mattress, like a sheet or a piece of plywood. In addition, during the day, prop the mattress up on its side so it can air out when you’re not sleeping on it. These precautions will ensure the mattress stays clean and mildew-free.
Chilling out
Extreme heat can be deadly, and it’s not always easy to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illness. If you don’t have access to air-conditioning when the next heat wave descends, it may seem like there’s no good way to get and stay cool without spending big bucks.
But there are plenty of frugal strategies to keep you comfortable and healthy through a hot spell. Staying hydrated, making a DIY cooling pack with an old sock and some rice, freezing your undergarments, taking lukewarm showers, putting up curtains, and laying your mattress directly on the floor will all help make you cooler than a cucumber–without spending a dime.