Let’s be honest: losing your air conditioning during a heatwave is truly miserable. And when it happens you’ll be glad you know these practical, tried-and-true methods for staying cool when the power goes out or the AC breaks down. You’ll feel prepared and comfortable no matter the temperature.
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During a record-breaking 114-degree West Texas heatwave, our air conditioner broke. Pregnant and living paycheck to paycheck, I had to find ways to cool down, and fast! I’ll never forget how my family stayed comfortable at night. With the fan on high, we’d cover ourselves with wet bath towels in bed. Unbelievably, we’d wake up cold.
Fast-forward 10 years to another heatwave, this time in Central Texas. We were sapped of energy after more than three months of nonstop 100-degree weather. I call that period “the year I didn’t garden.” It was also the year I realized I didn’t want to be caught unprepared during a power outage-induced heatwave again. While we naturally have an air conditioner and plenty of fans, I wanted to ensure my family could stay cool even without electricity. A long-term power outage requires more thought and planning than just having a couple of fans.
Lessons from the Past: Old-School Cooling Techniques
Volunteering at Pioneer Farms on sweltering days taught my family a lot about staying cool without modern conveniences. People would often ask, “Aren’t you hot in that long dress?” or “How do you stay cool when there’s no air conditioner?” Even a child once piped up, “Where do you get ice?
The Comfort of Natural Fibers
I loved answering these questions because I wasn’t just repeating what our ancestors did; I was living the experience! I explained that, believe it or not, the long cotton dress I wore actually kept me more comfortable and cool than shorts. The full skirt and sleeves also protected me from sunburn and bug bites. Light and loose-flowing clothes made from natural fibers like cotton or linen draw moisture from the skin, which then evaporates and cools a person down.
Working with the Weather
During extremely hot weather, we’d water the garden and save hard work for early mornings or late evenings when things cooled down. We also made sure to check on the animals to see if they had plenty of shade and water.
The Truth About Cold vs. Room Temperature Beverages
There was no refrigeration for ice back then. A respite from the heat was to walk inside the underground root cellar, where temperatures could be 40 degrees or cooler than outside. This is where food was stored and preserved. Kept in darkness, the root cellar felt like a cave year-round. No iced meant no icy cold beverages.
Given the lack of ice and refrigeration, I initially couldn’t imagine drinking room-temperature water when my family started volunteering. I had always thought that to “cool down,” my beverage needed to be cold. However, I’ve since learned that staying hydrated with lukewarm water is actually preferable. While I still enjoy a nice glass of ice-cold tea on a sizzling hot day, it’s good to know we can survive without ice!
I also find it interesting that some studies have shown athletes who drink cold water perform less well than those who consume room-temperature water.
Architectural Wisdom: Porches and Breezeways
Years ago, homes were built without artificial air conditioning. People gravitated to their front porches to stay cool or to enjoy the breezeway. In a dogtrot-style house, two cabins would be built side by side, and the connecting hallway between them would pull in the air currents, causing a cooler breeze. As I look at homes today, I wonder about the lack of front porches and how families would stay cool during a heatwave with no air conditioning.
Practical Tips for Staying Cool Without Electricity
Here are a few ideas for keeping your cool when there’s no air conditioning. Best of all, no electricity is needed.
Using Battery-Operated and Solar-Powered Devices
My first priority for preparing for hot weather without power was to purchase plenty of battery-operated fans. Like in West Texas, I wanted to ensure I had moving air to circulate around wet clothes or towels. I have a small fan that hangs around my neck, and this is handy when I’m working outside in my garden.
You can take that fan to the next level with a personal mister! This ingenious invention combines fan activity with a fine mist of water. We used these during summer swim meets, and they work beautifully.
I also prioritize having plenty of spare batteries, including batteries that can be recharged by solar power. You can purchase solar-powered battery chargers online, as well as pocket-sized mini solar panels that you can hook up to battery chargers or cellphones. It’s very likely that your AC is out because of a power outage. If that’s the case, rechargeable batteries will be a lifesaver.
Another benefit of moving air is that mosquitoes and flies find it hard to zero in for the landing when air is blowing. I learned this firsthand while backpacking in Israel.
The Magic of Cooling Towels
Cooling towels are a wonderful invention! My experience is with the Frogg Toggs, which come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Initially, they feel like cardboard, but once wet, they stay cool and rubbery until they dry again. These towels are perfect for those times when you don’t have moving air.
I keep these in my car for road trips where I could potentially break down during hot weather. Just pour bottled water over the towel, and presto! Instant coolness. One day, when my Jeep’s air conditioner went out, I took my Frogg Togg out for a trial run. With suffocating temperatures inside the vehicle, I drove across town with a wet Togg around my neck. Life was bearable!
Refreshing with Essential Oils
Essential oils like mint cool the skin on contact. Another reason I love spray bottles and essential oils is for high-humidity days. Imagine your house baking in extreme heat, with people and pets moving about. My favorite spray is lavender and water. I add about 20 drops to a small spray bottle and spritz the house. This not only makes your home smell wonderful, but the calming blend soothes the nerves and it’s healthy to breathe and natural!
Prioritizing Vulnerable Populations
As you implement these strategies, always remember that the elderly and young children are especially susceptible to heat-related injuries and require extra vigilance and care during hot weather. Learn about preparing elderly loved ones for emergencies here.
FAQ
Your first priority should be to create some air movement. If you have battery-operated fans, get them going. Combining them with wet towels or clothes can dramatically increase their cooling effect.
Prioritize purchasing battery-operated fans and ensure you have plenty of spare batteries, including solar-rechargeable ones. Consider investing in cooling towels and understanding how to use natural ventilation methods like opening windows during cooler parts of the day.
The elderly, infants, and young children are most susceptible to heat injuries. It’s crucial to check on them frequently, ensure they are well-hydrated, dressed appropriately, and have access to any available cooling methods. Never leave them unattended in hot environments.
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Get Your FREE Family Power Outage Survival Handbook!
Final Thoughts
Staying cool without AC might seem daunting, but as you’ve seen, simple, age-old wisdom and a few smart tools can make a huge difference. By being prepared with these practical tips, you can face the next heatwave with confidence and keep your family comfortable, even when the power’s out.
Please comment and share any other products you have used that work!
dealt with plenty of power outages in heat and cold, but most memorable story is being 8 months pregnant in a multi family unit with no access to breaker box and all it was needed a reset. someone overloaded…laid on a lawnchair in backyard watching battery powered tv and went in and slept on our waterbed with sheets removed…
I live in Florida and grew up without air conditioning, so being without it doesn’t bother me, even though most people consider it impossible. My mother put on a swimsuit, dosed herself with the hose and did housework, staying cool as a cucumber. Then we’d jump in the car and ride 12 minutes to the beach (Daytona) and swim in the ocean and enjoy the breeze. Our neighbor had a pool which would fill in 2 hours with deep well water, which was 72 degrees, which we’d consider shockingly cold. At night we slept with one thin sheet. If it got really hot, we’d turn on a fan, and REALLY hot, we’d go next door and jump in the neighbor’s pool at 10 PM and sleep like a cold watermelon later. With the windows open, of course, listening to whipporwills.
Unlike the newer houses which are treeless concrete boxes made without porches or windows that normally stay open, I still live in a house with open windows. The breeze flows through the house, but most important, WE DIDN’T CUT DOWN OUR TREES. Lots of shade here and it makes a huge difference. My house has central AC but I hardly ever turn it on. Maybe for guests. During the summer, it rarely gets above 81 inside the house with no AC. I live 2 miles from the ocean. Today was the hottest day of the year and it briefly hit 85 inside. Tonight at 1 AM it is 82 inside and 79 outside. I’m sitting on a screened porch in 79 typing this.
Next, don’t get fat. I’m 6 ft. and 142 pounds. I feel cold if the temp gets below 80. I just turned off the fan because I felt cold. My house has electric hot water, lots of lights, electric stove and microwave, TV, fans, pump, power tools, computer, the usual, and my electric bill runs between $18 and $26/mo. during the summer. $23 in July.
My house is concrete block which tends to hold heat at night, But a wood house, like my vacation cottage, cools off even faster at night. On really hot nights I sleep with a fan, but it has to be turned off at 3 AM to keep from getting cold.
Your advice about the wet towells is definately the most effective way to cool down and can be a life saver if you get broken down in the heat someplace like Texas. Sorry to insult Texas, but if I was there, I wouldn’t drive anyplace without towells and the water to pour on them any more than taking a trip in Montana in the winter without blankets and an emergency heat source!
We have a small pool that I used to fill up and put in the shade for the kids to play in when it was really hot. It didn’t matter how hot it was if they were playing in that pool they were cool. Inside we used to use fans and spray bottles of water to keep cool. We’d spray ourselves in front of the fan to get cool. Napping at the hottest part of the day was a good way to escape the hottest temperatures. We all napped in the cool basement on the floor on mats.
A cautionary tale of the essential oil use. Power was out after a summer storm, humidity and temperature were high. I cooled down with some mint oil. Too much, in fact. The oil does make you feel cooler, but only feeling, not really cooler. Too much of the oil, and I actually started shivering — big problem: shivering helps your body to warm up. Which was the last thing I needed right then! Afraid of overheating, I had to try to remove the oil in the shower. Unpleasant to say the least.
I have a garden misting system that I put together on my deck and on top of my garage. It is simply a soft PVC hose that you puncture with garden misters. An attachment adapter hooks the garden hose up to the soft PVC hose. I also have the garden hose on a valve so I can control the flow going to the misting system. I affixed the misting system on my deck handrailing. I also affixed it to the top of my garage and each system is separately controlled by individual garden hoses. My garage will easily get up to 150 degrees by late afternoon because the shingles retain so much heat and transfer that to the roof and inside wood of the ceiling of the garage. When I turn my mister system on, it always stays cooler because the garage shingles are water cooled and never get hot. My deck will almost be 20 degrees cooler than the rest of the outside as the water mist droplets evaporate by absorbing heat from the air. My garage and my deck are attached to my house, so with my misting system my garage doesnt warm my internal walls and my deck misting system doesnt warm up my siding as much and not only is it cool and comfortable but my air conditioning bill goes down much more than my water bill goes up so I end up saving money and I can always control the flow with the valve. Works great…
Along with drinking beverages that cool the body, the food one consumes when the the mercury rises can directly effect the body’s ability to tolerate high temperature extremes. Avoid animal based food products because protein from non-plant sources will tend to elevate body temperature. Please know that my post is not a call for vegetarianism, it is simply an informational addendum related to what to do when the air conditioning goes out. Along with staying away from animal protein, avoid high sodium foods and fried foods. Try this test during the next heatwave: Eat some animal protein, a salty snack or a deep fried food. Notice how your body feels. Now wait a day and while the ambient temperatures are still unbearable, eat a plain salad, some unsalted nuts, a piece of tropical fruit or a raw or steamed vegetable. Are you able to handle the heat with greater ease?
When we moved into our home in Eastern Colorado, the big tree was mostly dead so we took it down. The next summer we found out how valuable that tree was! Not wanting to install central air we put 3M tint on our windows, installed an attic fan, and one in-room AC unit in the kitchen, the hottest and most popular room in the house. And we planted a new tree. I’m glad we didn’t go the installation route; we better understand the air flow, sun pattern on our property, and passive solutions to keeping cool. And we may not have a front porch but we have benches by the shady trees to sit and visit outside! (okay we do that even when it’s not unbearably hot). So if we were stranded without power, we’ve got a head start in understanding what we’re in for.
Another low tech habit is to take showers in the afternoon, cools you off and energizes you for the rest of the day. (we don’t have a pool option).
John and I were truck drivers and carried Boogs, our cat, with us. Once the a/c went out in the truck when we were driving across Death Valley in the middle of the day. Boogs was laid out on the passenger seat. We had wet towels. I sprayed his fur with water and lightly rubbed. We all had fans blowing that hot dry air on us. My poor kitty welcomed the water and we all survived that trip. In the wild, an animal will find a cool spot or make one. Dogs dig holes and crawl inside. Animals stay in the shade during the day. Remember your pets in hot weather.
Some older homes have gas burners near the top of their home. The idea is to open the windows and turn on the heat. Since hot air rises, the hot air leaves the house pulling cooler air in lower windows. I applied a passive form of this when I insulated the metal roof of my barn up to a ridge opening. There, I had about 18″ of uninsulated tin heat the air below it and move cooler air into the barn.
I have several battery powered fans. Do you know how to make an air conditioner with one? All you need is a 5 gallon plastic bucket and a frozen gallon of water. Cut a hole in the lid of the bucket the size of the fan blades. Then cut a few holes around the sides of the bucket. Place the frozen jug inside the bucket, put the lid on, put the fan on top and turn the fan on.
Yes, because I was passed out from hunger.
When staying hydrated if you drink a large amount of water you might also want to drink some type of electrolyte solution. Water isn’t the only thing you lose when you sweat. Sodium and potassium are important too
The summer is such a fun time of the year, but dealing with the heat can certainly be a problem. I love your suggestion to keep battery operated fans on hand. These can keep you comfortable while you search for a way to fix your air conditioning.
I appreciate these suggestions, especially the one about sleeping with a wet towel over you or using Frogg Toggs. I have two, but wasn’t sure how to wear them while working around the house. My air conditioning decided to die on me the day after my water heater did, and although the weather has been in the mid-90s oh, I just can’t afford to replace my HVAC system. So no AC for me, but with these suggestions I’ll get through. What’s funny is that you learned that you can tolerate a lot more heat and you think. I used to like to keep the house about 76, but now I realize that I could keep it higher. By 85 though, you are drained. It’s been 85 in my upstairs for the last few days, so I’ve been blowing fans at night. Problem is what to do about the first floor. Well, that’s why I’m up in the middle of the night searching. Thanks everyone for your help!
Thank you for sharing.
My friend in Australia beats the heat by making refrigerator clothes. She dampens her clothes, rolls them up and puts them in the fridge. She’ll have a couple outfits chilling so that when one outfit dries out, there is another cool damp one to change into. I haven’t tried it yet, however I think that day is coming.
Last summer I sat on the back deck with my feet soaking in a basin filled with cold water, some Epsom salts and mint essential oil. It was lovely and cooled me down. I also ran cold water over my wrists whenever I washed my hands. I also use a wet cloth around my neck, and have been known to add mint essential oil to that too.
Good evening:
We live in the west end of Broward County (Fort Lauderdale) Florida. Our home is about 2,000 s/f under air just East of the Everglades. We have learned that using a DEHUMIDIFIER that will remove 50 pints daily from our home makes it possible to tolerate the temperatures. Remember – for each ONE degree you change your thermostat, your electric bill changes by about 7%. The objective is to make the home comfortable, so having the temperature at 79°F or 80°F is not a problem when the humidity is really low and there are fans throughout the home.
We are able to keep the humidity inside the house at close to 40% with our dehumidifier and our electric bill has dropped precipitously.
So, an investment in a dehumidifier is a necessity in South Florida.
People in rural areas can live without AC. Most of the house is well ventilated and surrounded by plants and trees. To be honest, the lifestyle in rural areas is simple, yet it is more comfortable for me.