Many people in the South who do not have air conditioning have come up with some pretty unique ways to keep cool in the house when it is sweltering outside. If your home air conditioning breaks down and your home is quickly heating up, try a couple of these unique ways to keep cool.

Lower the Shades
During the hottest time of the day the sunlight comes through your windows and creates a greenhouse effect inside. Even with the windows open the sunlight can increase the interior temperature significantly. Close the blinds, lower the shades, and shut the curtains. Blocking the sunlight from getting inside will help to lessen the sweltering heat.

Natural Cooling
As soon as the sun sets the outside temperature drops quite a bit. Open the windows at night to allow some of the heat out and some of the cooler air inside. As soon as the sun rises in the morning be certain to close those windows to keep out as much of the heat as possible.

Chilling Yourself Down
Take a few bowls and fill them with ice. Place the bowls in front of any table fans you have in the home. If you do not have any, they can be purchased at your local home center for around ten dollars. Placing a fan on a table near your chair with a big bowl of ice is going to feel like a mini air conditioner compared to the incredible heat.

Turning Counter Clockwise
Ceiling fans have the ability to cool off a house without an air conditioner if you know which way fans should be spinning. Make sure the switch is set to counter clockwise so the fans pull up the hot air and circulate the cool air below. Circulating the air in the home can reduce the temperature quite nicely.

Time to Towel Off
Grab some towels from the closet and run them under cold water. Place one around your neck while the others go into the freeze. The large vein that runs up your neck to your brain will instantly feel that cool sensation and actually tell the brain it is cold. Your body will actually feel slightly cooler instantly if you try this technique. As the towels lose their coolness, swap them out for the frozen ones in the freezer.

Turn Down the Heat
If your air conditioner is not working, don’t do anything to bring more heat inside the house. Avoid using the oven and the stove. If you have an outdoor grill that the is perfect way to make meals for a while. Better yet have some icy cold salads or a nice cool hoagie sandwich.

Depending how long your air conditioner is broken down, there are plenty of ways to stay cooler inside. Take naps in the afternoon, always wear loose fitting clothing, and keep all your lights and appliances on only when needed. The less going on inside the less added heat you will be making.