BellaOnline Forums Money Frugal Living Ten Easy Ways to Keep Cool Without AC

I did a bad bad thing by putting on the AC that day. Now I want it. LOL. I think actually the nights are warmer, so it's making the afternoons hotter. I'm still holding out...

In the meantime, here are some ideas for alternative cooling using zeer pots, an evaporative cooling shelf, and a radiant solar cooler. If that last sounds contradictory, it's a pretty cool idea.

More solar and other alternative cooling ideas can be found here.

Ice houses! Spring houses! There are new technologies and old for cooling, but my impression is that none are really easy. Which explains a lot about the history of food preservation, doesn't it?

More cooling inventions - Vortex Tubes (from wikipedia)

Subterranean Heating and Cooling Systems

It's been between 108 and 100 consistently now here, so i finally am using the AC unit. Also, the biting gnats go right through any open screens, and they make me get long red welts. So as predicted, the gnats drove me to the AC.

What's nice is I have a very small area to cool. A small window unit does the whole studio and uses 270 watts on the Low and Energy Saver Settings. I also keep the AC temp within the 70s-80s (and off when i am gone), and use fans to cool down my actual 'use area' = either the bed or desk.

So far my bill hasn't risen! I am sure it will next month. We will see.