To make a home feel cooler without air conditioning, block direct sun, bring in outdoor air only when it is cooler than the air inside, and avoid adding heat indoors. These low- to no-cost steps can improve comfort, but no single trick works in every home or climate. During dangerous heat, use a reliable cooling location or appropriate cooling equipment rather than relying on fans.
Start with no-cost changes
1. Close shades over sunny windows
Close blinds, shades, or drapes on sun-facing windows during the hottest, brightest hours. Blocking sunlight before it heats floors, furniture, and other surfaces is a simple first step. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends combining shading with ventilation, insulation, and efficient windows and doors rather than expecting one measure to solve every home’s heat problem. ENERGY STAR’s low- to no-cost tips also recommend window coverings to keep out summer sun.
If an existing covering does little to block sunlight, reflective shades or removable window coverings are optional upgrades. Choose something that fits the window and, if you rent, does not require a permanent change.
2. Open windows when outdoor air is cooler
When the air outside is cooler than the air inside, opening windows can help flush out indoor heat. If the layout and weather allow, open windows on opposite sides of the home to encourage cross-ventilation. Close them again when outdoor air becomes warmer, and keep sunny windows shaded.
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Natural ventilation depends on wind, temperature, and the home’s layout. The Department of Energy cautions that it is not effective in hot, humid climates. If outdoor air is hot or muggy, opening windows may make indoor conditions less comfortable rather than cooler. See the DOE guidance on home cooling and natural ventilation.
3. Use a window fan to exhaust hot air when conditions suit it
A window fan can help move warm indoor air outside. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America HVAC guide describes a configuration using the fan to exhaust through a window away from the prevailing wind, with windows near the fan closed and openings at the opposite end of the home open. Shaded windows are preferable for incoming air. That arrangement depends on the home and outdoor conditions; it is not a universal setup. Consult the guide, Building America Best Practices Series, Volume 14: Energy Renovations HVAC Guide.
4. Turn on a fan only where someone is present
Ceiling and portable fans move air across skin, making people feel cooler; they do not lower the room’s temperature. Use one in an occupied room, then switch it off when you leave. A fan left running in an empty room adds electricity use without cooling the space. ENERGY STAR explains how to combine fan use with thermostat settings when running air conditioning.
Reduce heat made inside the home
5. Skip the oven on very hot days when practical
An oven adds heat indoors. On especially hot days, choose a meal that needs little or no cooking, or use an outdoor grill if that is safe and practical. The Department of Energy’s Home Cooling infographic also recommends using kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to remove heat and humidity produced by cooking and showers.
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6. Use exhaust fans after cooking and showering
Run the range hood while cooking and the bathroom exhaust fan during and after a shower, if available. These fans remove some heat and moisture at the source. They are useful supporting measures, not substitutes for adequate cooling during dangerous heat.
7. Replace frequently used incandescent bulbs with LEDs
Replacing incandescent bulbs that are used often can reduce both electricity use and the heat those bulbs give off. ENERGY STAR’s 2013 cooling guide says its certified lighting produces about 75 percent less heat than incandescent lighting. That is a comparison of lighting heat output, not a prediction that a room or whole house will become 75 percent cooler. See ENERGY STAR Update: Cooling Tips for Every Budget.
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8. Check the air-conditioner filter regularly
If you have air conditioning, check the filter monthly and clean or replace it as the manufacturer directs. ENERGY STAR says a dirty filter can slow airflow and make the system work harder. Use the unit’s instructions for the right filter and replacement schedule; a filter that does not fit correctly can also interfere with airflow. See ENERGY STAR’s cooling tips.
9. Pair a ceiling fan with a modest thermostat adjustment
When air conditioning is running, a ceiling fan may let you raise the thermostat while maintaining a similar sense of comfort. ENERGY STAR has published a potential cooling-cost reduction of up to 14 percent from raising the thermostat by two degrees while using a ceiling fan. This is a published potential, not a guaranteed saving for every household; results depend on the home, equipment, weather, and how the fan is used. Turn the fan off when the room is empty. The claim appears in ENERGY STAR’s cooling guidance.
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Limit heat leaking through the building
10. Seal obvious gaps around doors and windows
Weather-stripping can reduce drafts around doors and windows, while insulation and air sealing are part of a broader home-cooling strategy. Ready.gov recommends weather-stripping doors and windows; the Department of Energy likewise identifies air sealing and insulation as elements of cooling a home. Before adding permanent weather-stripping or making other changes, renters should check with their landlord. See Ready.gov’s Extreme Heat guidance and the DOE’s home-cooling information.
Know when these tricks are not enough
These measures can make a home more comfortable, but they do not guarantee safe indoor temperatures. Ready.gov’s extreme-heat guidance says, “Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.” If heat is dangerous, seek a cooler location or use suitable cooling equipment; a fan’s airflow is not a replacement for cooling the room. Check Ready.gov’s Extreme Heat advice for safety guidance.
For ordinary hot weather, the most useful low-cost combination is usually to shade sunny windows, ventilate only when outdoor air is cooler, and reduce heat sources indoors. Whether you also need a fan, air conditioning, or building improvements depends on your climate, the home’s layout, and how much heat it retains.
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