Editor’s note: This article was originally published in July 2021 and updated in June.
How to stay cool during a heat wave in a home without air conditioning — and when to leave
“Air conditioning saves lives in these times of very extreme heat,” said Matthew Levy, an associate professor of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Tragically, when we see people who succumb to heat-related illness or severe outcomes, it’s usually lack of access to air conditioning.”
But many homes aren’t outfitted with air conditioning, particularly in temperate climates. Meanwhile, people who do have air conditioning may be concerned about skyrocketing utility bills, overloading electrical grids or contributing to human-caused climate change, which is largely the driving force behind the frequency of extreme heat events.
If you’re trying to safely beat the blazing heat while living in a home without air conditioning, here’s what you need to know.