9 Cheap Ways To Keep Cool Without Air Conditioning This Summer

Ice in waterTough news for fellow heatwave haters – this weekend is set to be yet another scorcher. Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, Richard Millard, senior sustainability consultant at Building Energy Experts, explained that buildings in the UK provide uniquely uncomfortable conditions in hot weather. Not only are they designed to hold onto heat for longer, have smaller windows, and offer less ventilation, but – crucially – “Unlike many hotter climates (and increasingly, northern European countries), air conditioning is not standard in most UK homes, workplaces, or public buildings.”Many houses, especially older ones, in the UK are unsuitable for air conditioning (and that’s not considering the eye-watering cost). So it’s a good thing members of r/Frugal have shared their “frugal ways to stay cool without an air conditioner.” Here are some of the most upvoted comments: 1) “As soon as it gets cooler outside than inside the house (8-9pm), we open the windows on both sides and keep room doors open to allow for airflow.” “In the morning, we close the windows AND curtains when it gets warmer outside than inside (9-10am).“When it gets hotter, we will use box fans (one side of the house blowing in and one side blowing out) to encourage air to flow through.” Credit: [deleted]2) “Blackout curtains do great this time of year.” Credit: u/Particular-Ad-47723) “Sleep in your coolest room.”“That may be north-facing since the north avoids any direct sunlight.” Credit:u/Goge974) “Freeze several bags of water in freezer-safe bags (lay them flat in the freezer).”“Once frozen, sandwich it between some towels. Rotate the block of frozen sheets when no longer cold.“I lay on the cold towels, and my dogs lay in their dog bed with theirs too.” Credit: u/RiverBlitzWriter’s note: Other commenters have suggested freezing a water bottle instead, while some experts say freezing a hot water bottle filled with water works great too.5) “Never underestimate the difference between shade and sun.” “Keep [your home] dark.” Credit:u/slowsnale6) “The best I could do [without air conditioning] was put a cold, damp (NOT DRIPPING WET) towel on the fan.”“Worked for me.”Credit:u/Uberchelle7) “Don’t cook anything on the stove or oven on the worst days (lots of salads, sandwiches, and slow cooker meals like pulled pork on those days).”“These have helped us tremendously.” Credit:u/TotallyNotABot_Shhhh8) “I put my pillow case in the freezer.” Credit:u/Iuvdab3achx0x09) “It’s messy, but putting a source of ice in front of a fan and having a fan blow over it is also very helpful.” Credit:u/wridergalDo you have other tips? Let us know! Related...I've Dreaded Every Heatwave Since 2019 – And It's Only Going To Get WorseThe 1 Watering Mistake UK Gardeners Must Avoid In A HeatwaveThis Heatwave Hack For The School Pick Up Is Saving Parents A 'Fortune'

Comments

Breaking news

Violent sex predator who preyed on young girls jailed for 12 years

The Herald

Comments

Similar News

Good samaritan who helped 9-year-old after shark attack now detained by ICE — facing possible deportation

Trump Admin Issues New Tariff Warning As July 9 Deadline Looms

‘GP thought I had pneumonia, I spent the next 9 years in a spinal brace’

Family of Autistic Teen Shot 9 Times by Police Launch Lawsuit

Why so many reality stars can't resist a jailbird - as Shaughna Phillips falls pregnant despite boyfriend's 9-year cocaine sentence and Ferne McCann's acid attacker ex strikes up romance with a Love Islander from behind bars

Thieves ransack Renfrew shop stealing £9,000 worth of alcohol and cigarettes

Japan executes man convicted of murder for killing and dismembering 9 people in his apartment

Schoolgirl, 9, crushed to death in freak accident as brother begs for her to come back

Boy, 9, ‘nearly grabbed and then followed’ by man in Brighton

Disneyland Paris groom in mock wedding to girl, 9, is notorious UK paedo Jacky Jhaj

Child, 9, ‘grabbed and followed’ near popular Brighton beach as man, 39, arrested

British man who ‘married girl, 9, at Disneyland Paris’ is convicted paedophile

British man charged over 'wedding' with child, 9, at Disneyland Paris

British man charged over 'mock wedding' with 9-year-old in Disneyland Paris

British man charged after ‘mock wedding’ with girl, 9, in Disneyland Paris

Brit arrested for Disneyland Paris marriage to 9-year-old is on-run paedophile

British man arrested at Disneyland Paris after trying to marry girl, 9, in private wedding

9 Questions Remaining Over Iran-Israel Conflict After Trump's Strikes

Brit, 22, arrested at Disneyland Paris after 'trying to marry Ukrainian girl, 9'

The 9 Biggest Signs Of Autism In Adults

Breaking news

Violent sex predator who preyed on young girls jailed for 12 years

Banker avoids splitting £80,000,000 given to ex to avoid tax after divorce

Full list of 38 New Look stores closing down in 2025

Mum who fell down Tube platform and hit by two trains ‘contributed to her own injuries’

‘UK taxpayers will pay price’: How people are reacting to the Welfare Bill vote

Rachel Reeves wipes tears from her cheeks at PMQs after Welfare bill U-turn

James Cameron Shares His Honest Take On Why Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer Was A 'Moral Cop-Out'

Rod Stewart Made A Surprising Admission About His Glastonbury 'Legends' Slot Pay

Rachel Reeves Appears To Cry On Labour Frontbench During PMQs

Exclusive: Labour Rebels Set Their Sights On Lifting 2-Child Benefit Cap After Welfare U-Turn

Is Forgetting The Odd Word Normal Ageing Or A Sign Of Dementia?

‘Selfless and loving’ man, 29, dies after being pulled from sea at popular holiday spot

In Arizona borderlands, a sacred saguaro harvest marks the Tohono O'odham's new year

A Tohono O'odham family integrates Catholic and Native beliefs in the Arizona desert

Photos show the rain on Day 3 after the Wimbledon heatwave

Mapped: The hottest locations in Europe’s 46C heatwave after two die in Catalonia wildfire

Rates should be cut three more times in 2025, says Bank policymaker

MTG calls pressure to meet Trump’s July 4 megabill deadline ‘a s***show’

From eight-year-old ‘influencers’ to trans anarchists, today’s gun owners aren’t who you think

UK accused of hypocrisy at landmark UN foreign aid conference

Hurling star DJ Carey admits cancer treatment fraud

Badenoch accuses Starmer of having ‘brass neck’ over welfare bill defence

Killer nurse Lucy Letby could face new charges over more baby deaths at hospitals

City watchdog extends rules on bullying and harassment across financial sector

Thousands of Australians without power and flash flood warnings in place after ‘bomb cyclone’

A human dog bed was a surprise start-up hit – now Trump’s tariffs threaten their business

Trump’s Gaza ceasefire boasts will mean nothing unless he can get a grip on Israel

Alexander Dennis redundancy consultation extended by two weeks

Explosion at a California fireworks warehouse sets off fires and forces evacuations

Award-winning international correspondent launches a new journalism platform

Senior clinician appointed next chief scientific adviser

Matt Hancock defiant about Covid care home plan after ‘generational slaughter’ claim

Reeves battles tears as Starmer declines to back her staying in post

Liam Gallagher says crew have 'no friends' as Oasis release five new tracks

Partnership group seeks new trustees to help guide the next chapter at the Gaiety Theatre

Nothing Phone 3 release date and pre-order details as new model 'outperforms' previous phone

Public loos could be re-introduced to Dunblane park

Lifeline for Alexander Dennis workers as SNP Government considers furlough scheme

Ayrshire vintage vehicle parade predicted to be biggest and best yet

Couple adopt 'rescue puppy' and are astounded to find out what it really is

Three lynx rescued in Highlands named by local primary school and charity

One item you should never put on your suitcase or risk losing your belongings

Keir Starmer refuses to rule out tax rises after Labour MPs force U-turn on welfare reform

Experts on the health impact of drinking a glass of wine

Slash cholesterol and boost gut health with 79p 'superfood'

Sir Andy Murray's Wimbledon-winning shirt goes up for auction

Thug battered man with pool cue after argument in Coatbridge pub

Scots cops search for teenage girl missing for two days

Chancellor Rachel Reeves in tears as Keir Starmer refuses to back her during PMQs

Saudi sports investor Surj goes extra mile for $20m triathlon stake

Miscarriages of justice watchdog boss steps down in wake of Andrew Malkinson case

National Grid's maintenance the damning failure identified by report into fire that sparked Heathrow chaos

Prosecutors consider more charges against Lucy Letby

Meghan Markle forced to give away free jam to customers after awkward blunder

'Dying city' in the hills of Italy crumbling as tourists flock to historic town

'Slaughter house' prison with bodies strewn across floor and execution parties

North Korea to send up to 30,000 troops to bolster Russia’s forces, Ukraine says