How to cool an apartment or house without air conditioning during a power outage in a heat wave

Amid a severe electricity shortage, Ukrainians will have to give up air conditioning this summer. But this does not mean that there will be no escape from the heat - there is a whole list of life hacks that will make you feel better.

OBOZ.UA has collected tips from professionals on how to cool your home on hot days without air conditioning. Prepare to use them in advance.

Choose the right clothes

Loose-fitting clothes that allow for good air circulation between the skin and the fabric help you cool down. Choose natural fabrics such as cotton and linen. Synthetics are much less breathable. Also, give preference to light-colored clothes, as darker colors heat up faster.

Avoid dehydration

Wherever you are and whatever you do in the heat, you should have a water bottle with you. And don't forget to replenish your electrolytes if you sweat a lot - consume mineral water, sports isotonic drinks, and salty foods. They will help your body maintain its hydration level and avoid losing too much sodium, which can be life-threatening.

Keep the hottest rooms closed

If there is a room in your home that gets hotter than the rest, keep it closed. Don't use it until the heat subsides. Close the door to that room and use a towel or thick cloth, such as a down comforter, to isolate it from the rest of the house. This will stop the flow of hot air.

Close the windows

The sun's rays heat up the room, so you need to block them to keep it cool. Keep the curtains tightly closed during the hottest times of the day. And vice versa - as soon as the temperature starts to drop outside, open the curtains and open the windows to let in the coolness.

Don't cool off near the refrigerator

Don't be tempted to open the refrigerator door and stand by it, enjoying the coolness. You just don't know how long the power outage will last, so save that coolness for the food.

Cook outside

If you have the option of cooking on a portable grill or fire pit, you should use it. The stove will heat up your home, which will be difficult to cool down. An outdoor kitchen will not have this effect.

Take a shower

The water on your skin acts in the same way as sweat: it's pleasant to the touch and cools you as it evaporates. But an outright cold shower is not the best choice in this situation. If you start shivering, it means that your body is trying to restore the lost heat. Yes, you will feel cool on your skin, but your body temperature will rise. So wash yourself with slightly warm water. Or, if you don't have access to hot water, only wipe your limbs, face, and neck with cold water.

A wet head also cools the body well. Wet your hair or cover your head with a wet bandana. By the way, a damp cloth will help keep you cooler if you tie it around your wrists, put it under your armpits or in your groin. These parts of the body are usually the hottest and additional cooling will work great.

Do not use the upper floors

If you live in a house or apartment with two or more floors, you've probably noticed that the higher you go, the hotter it gets. This is due to the fact that hot air is directed upwards - it's a law of physics. Therefore, the lowest level of your home will be the most comfortable in the heat.

Work at the right time

Leave any physical labor for the morning or late evening, when it is cooler outside. Also, exercise during these hours. If you can't avoid exercising during the day, try to schedule it so that it doesn't occur between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m., the hottest part of the day.

Make wet curtains

Wet a large towel or sheet, roll it out, and hang it near an open window. The outside air will be effectively cooled by the wet fabric and the room will not feel as hot. This method works well in the bedroom, where you need to keep the temperature low during sleep. And to keep the fabric from drying out, keep a spray bottle of water handy to moisten it if necessary.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA's Telegram and Viber channels to keep up with the latest developments.