Right now, I can live without the air conditioner. Though I’m not sure if the earth continues on its current path of warming, I will able to do it. However, for now, it is possible to live without air conditioner in the Northeast and Northwest of the United States and be comfortable. I think that is the most important part of the statement – to be comfortable. This summer, I was put to the test because we had the pleasure of my folks staying with us for 2 weeks during July, which was the hottest month in American history, ever on record. They have been living in Florida with central air conditioning for almost 30 years, and enjoy controlling the temperature in their home. I am happy to say that we passed the test. In fact, a couple of nights my Dad asked us to close the windows, because it was too chilly.

Many situations and places do not allow for the luxury of living without air conditioner. But if you have the following variables, it might be for you.

Temperatures get into the 60s during the evening so you can cool the house or apartment’s core temperature.

• Air can circulate through your home, though some homes are too small or poorly placed for this.
• Use a window fan with a thermostat, double fans are great with an exhaust and intake setting
  • When it is lower than 70° outside, put it on intake
  • When it is higher than 75° outside, put it on exhaust

Our fans turn on and shut off when the room gets to a certain temperature. We love our fans. In fact, after enjoying 7 years of coolness, we have purchased two more since our current home is much bigger and has two floors.

The secret is:

*Close windows and blinds once the temperature in the house gets to 70° in the morning

*Open the window at night only when it is no warmer than 73°

I’m sure you realize by now, I watch the temperature very closely and have an indoor/outdoor thermometer.

When the temperature got over 100° outside, our house only got up to 80° inside. At that point, we turned on the rotating fan to circulate the air in the room, which made it very comfortable. It does take effort to live without air conditioning but the energy and money we save is well worth it.

I’ve heard of putting frozen water bottles in front of the rotating fan helps. However, I have not needed to try this yet. My parents told me that when they drove to Florida from New York for their honeymoon in June of 1954, motels advertised rooms that were “air cooled” which meant a bucket of ice in front of fan.