Cooling your apartment without air conditioning: simple tips for hot days

Once an apartment has heated up in the summer, it is often difficult to get the heat back out. This is immediately noticeable, especially in attic apartments, south-facing rooms, or rooms with poor shading. Air conditioning is not always possible, costs electricity, and is not practical for every apartment. Fortunately, you can improve things quite a bit with a few simple habits.

I have collected the most important tips on how to keep your apartment cooler without air conditioning. Many things sound quite simple, but it is precisely these small things that make the difference on hot days.

Cooling your apartment without air conditioning – the most important tips

1. Ventilate early in the morning and late in the evening

It is best to ventilate when it is actually cooler outside than inside. This is usually early in the morning, late in the evening, or at night. Open windows wide and, if possible, create a cross-breeze so that the warm air can escape quickly.

Extra tip:Do not just tilt the windows; ventilate briefly and vigorously. Tilted windows often do little in the heat and only let warm air in during the day.

2. Keep windows and curtains closed during the day

As hard as it is sometimes: when the sun is shining on the windows, windows, curtains, roller blinds, or shutters should remain closed. External shading works best, but light-colored curtains or interior blinds also help at least a little.

3. Prevent heat from building up in the first place

Ovens, stoves, irons, tumble dryers, and bright lamps generate additional heat. On very hot days, I prefer to cook something quick, prepare cold dishes, or use the balcony or garden if grilling. Salads, cold soups, or simple summer dishes are also good ideas.

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4. Switch off electrical appliances completely

Televisions, computers, chargers, and game consoles emit heat, even if it doesn't seem like much. Anything not currently in use can be switched off completely. This helps a little against the heat and also saves electricity.

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5. Position the fan correctly

A fan does not actually cool the air, but it often makes the heat more bearable. It is most pleasant when it does not blow directly into your face, but rather moves the air in the room. At night, you can also place it by the window if cooler air is coming in from outside.

Extra info:The famous bowl of ice water in front of the fan can be pleasant in the short term, but it does not replace real cooling. Furthermore, nothing should be positioned in a way that water could tip into an electrical appliance.

What helps in the bedroom during heat?

Sleeping in the heat is often the most difficult part. Here, it helps to darken the bedroom all day and only ventilate well in the evening or at night. Bed linen made of cotton or linen feels more pleasant than heavy fabrics. A lukewarm shower before going to bed can also help.

I would not take an ice-cold shower, because afterwards the body often tries to counteract it and you end up sweating even more. It is better to take a lukewarm one and then put on light clothing.

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Cool apartment: small checklist for hot days

• Cross-ventilate early in the morning
• Close windows afterwards
• Keep roller blinds, shutters, or curtains closed during the day
• Avoid using the oven and long cooking times
• Switch off electrical appliances when they are not needed
• Position the fan sensibly
• Drink enough
• Keep a special eye on elderly people, children, and pets

Extra tip:If you have plants on the balcony, you can water them in the evening. This is good for the plants, and the air on the balcony often feels a bit more pleasant afterwards. You should avoid watering in the blazing sun during the day.

When should you be careful?

Heat is not only unpleasant, it can also strain the circulation. Elderly people, babies, small children, pregnant women, chronically ill people, and pets in particular need more attention on very hot days. Sufficient fluids, shade, light meals, and breaks are important.

The Austrian health portal recommends, among other things, avoiding physical exertion, drinking plenty of fluids, and keeping living spaces as cool as possible during heat. The Ministry of Social Affairs also provides information on proper ventilation and cooling and offers a point of contact for questions via the heat hotline.

Sources: Health portal: Healthy in the heat, Ministry of Social Affairs: Proper ventilation and cooling, Ministry of Social Affairs: Heat hotline

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