Even if you have an A/C unit, these tips might come in handy if and when your unit stops working for some reason or if there's a power grid issue that forces the unit to shut down.

Low-Tech Tips on Keeping Cool in the Summer

• If you can switch up your work schedule. Put the outside chores for early in the morning or later in the evening and leave the hottest part of the day for inside the house or just sitting around.
• Wear cool clothes but do cover up. Clothes make shade for your body and protect it from the direct rays of the sun.
• Drink a lot!
• Don’t eat a heavy meal during the hottest part of the day. The body creates heat digesting food and will just make you hotter.
• Seek shade just like animals do. Find the coolest place in the house; a basement, the north side of the house.
• Try getting wet if only your feet. Dampen your head/hair and put a cool wet rag on your neck.
• If it is really hot hit the library and enjoy their air conditioning! Or go to the city pool or walk the mall.

Some More Involved Tips…

• Fans! Try putting a big block of ice behind the fan so the air gets sucked over the ice and it will drop the temp in a small room noticeably.
• If you live in a dry hot climate try “swamp coolers” or evaporative fans.
• Cover south facing windows during the day to keep out the sun and open windows on the cooler north side or ones that are located under trees.
• Open windows at night to bring the cooler night air in and close them during the day.

Tips on Building a “Summer-Proof” Home

• Make for sure that there are large deciduous trees shading the south and west sides of the house.
• Build your house out of rock, stone or concrete. Works great for both winter and summer by storing heat in the walls and keeping the inside cooler/warmer.
• If you are building a “normal” stud frame home bulk up on insulation in the walls and ceiling and situate the windows and doors for maximum air flow throughout the home.
• Put awnings over the very necessary south windows to shade out the high hot summer sun. Make all windows insulated or double-paned.

What other tips have you found effective for keeping cool in the summer without A/C?

Article Source: Tactical Intelligence