How to Live in Florida Without an Air Conditioner
- 1). Open windows at night; close them at midmorning. An open window at night allows cool air to enter. By midmorning, however, the sun can be overpowering, especially during the summer. That's why you should close the windows to deflect some of the heat -- and also close the blinds or curtains.
- 2). Get lots of fans. Experiment with having window fans that are positioned so that they blow hot air out after the midday period while ceiling fans circulate cooler air inside. Get a ceiling fan for every room.
- 3). Get out of the house at midday during the warmer months, if possible. That might not be a problem if you have a regular 9-5 job, but people who work at home can beat the heat by heading to the mall, a library or a coffee shop. Or, if your car has air conditioning, use the sweaty midday period to run errands.
- 4). Create some shade. If possible, plant trees around the house. Position the trees so they'll block some of the sun from, say, a bedroom or the living room area. Granted, that's a long-term project, but it will eventually pay off.
- 5). Drink lots of fluids, and make sure there is always cool water available for your pets. Heatstroke is a real possibility during the summer, with the elderly and the very young especially vulnerable.
