Not all apartments come with air conditioning units. If you live somewhere in the South it is typically to see A/C units as a common addition to apartment appliances. If you live in the North then A/C units are not as common. This can cause a lot of problems during summer heatwaves.
Living in a hot climate can be very difficult and uncomfortable. If the weather is cold you can easily put warm clothes on or a blanket. When it is hot, you must find other ways to cool down your living space.
How to cool down an apartment
Here are some tips I learned from living for a year without air conditioning in an apartment during a heatwave. These can be used for people in a variety of different situations.
1. Keeping the curtains closed
Windows have a huge effect on the temperature of an apartment. When sunlight enters a room through a window it heats the air inside. This heat is then circulated around your home. This is because heat rises and cold air sinks creating a circular motion.
Closing your curtains will keep this hot sunlight from entering your apartment. Think of it as if sitting under a shaded tree.
2. Create your own A/C unit
You can create your own A/C by having a stand-alone fan blow through something cold. This can be completed by attaching ice packs to a stand-alone fan. The fan will blow over the ice packs and blow cold air throughout the room. This one should really only be used if you are desperate for cool air and are running low on money.
3. Cooldown spray bottle
Keep an ice-cold spray bottle in your refrigerator. This can be used for an on-the-spot body cooldown. Very handy to keep in your apartment during a heatwave. You can also use a spray bottle with a fan. These are typically used at amusement parks to cool down guests when walking around the parks. Here is one I recommend.
4. Circulating hot air out of your apartment
Hot air can become trapped inside your apartment. In this case, it is important to get air flowing in your apartment. This will circulation of air will allow for the hot air to escape and cooler air to enter. This can be done by pointing a stand-alone fan out an open window. The fan will pull the hot air from inside the apartment and blow it out the window. This is the most effective way to remove hot air.
If you do not have a fan to use in your apartment you will need to create a cross breeze. Cross breezes can be created by opening two airflow channels. For example, open your front door and a window. the air will travel in through the window and out through the front door. If you only open one there will be no airflow channel and it will not circulate air. You need two airflow channels.
5. Portable A/C units
These have gotten a lot cheaper over the years. You can get a good quality portable air conditioner for between $100-$500. I have used these frequently for my rental properties in Florida. They are perfect for single rooms and get make them freezing cold. The more expensive ones can cool whole houses. Make sure to check the Square footage on the one you plan on buying to make sure it has enough power to cool the room you need it for.
I’ve linked some of my Amazon picks below.
6. Use vertical blinds or sheer panels
A lot of apartments come with vertical blinds that can reflect heat from your sliding glass windows. Apartments with patios and balconies have very large glass windows that allow for a lot of heat to enter. This can cause your apartment to heat up quickly during the middle of the day.
If you do not have vertical blinds you can add sheer panels. They are very cheap and easy to install.
7. Instaling a ceiling fan
Installing a ceiling fan in your apartment is a good way to promote air circulation. This will help cool down your apartment. See here for tips on installing a ceiling fan in your apartment. Always check your lease or talk to your landlord before installing anything in your apartment.
