What do you do in really hot weather to stay cool when your apartment doesn't have air conditioning?

Question

and they won't let you install a window unit or anything similar to that.

I mean summer hot, like 95+

The funny thing is the building does have central air conditioning, they just block everyone's thermostat from being able to turn it on to save on electricity.

I'm not going to put ammonia all over my body. I had a small lab accident once where I had a puff of ammonia gas fly into my face at high pressure. After that you would never want to go anywhere near ammonia again.

Answer 1

Open your windows and with a spray bottle, wet your screens often. The wetness will make your screens work like a weak air conditioner. Put 2 large box fans ($10 at Walmart), one to each window. Face one fan toward the window and the other toward the room. This will induce an artificial draft which paired with the wet screens will work wonders in cooling your place. Keep the screens wet and you'll see a HUGE difference in temperature.
ps also hang organically good looking yet inexpensive burlap from windows during the sunny hours to block excess sun.

Answer 2

We open the windows that can be opened, pull the drapes down. Turn on all the fans. Throw extra air lines into the fish tanks. Change the pet water bowl so they can have cool water. If we get too hot, jump in for a very quick lukewarm shower. Drink lots of cool liquids. Avoid cooking at all cost. Hot nights are worse and I often wish we had a hammock since lying on a mattress is too hot.

Answer 3

This is an old fashioned remedy my family used in pre-AC days.

Buy yourself a large box fan, a 24" model or larger. Just be sure it fits in your widow.

Raise the window and set the fan on the window sill, facing out, and lower the window to the top of the fan.

Use cardboard, or plywood to fill in around the fan so the window opening is filled. close the rest of your windows, leaving olny a 2" to 6" opening in the room where you happen to be. Then turn on the fan, on high.

This will suck the hot air in your appartment outside and pull in outside air. Even if it is 100* +, the moving air will feel much cooler than the same air standing still.

If possible, use plywood to fill in around your fan. It will be easier to take the fan out of the window when you go out, and easier to but it back in the window when you return home.

If your apartment has only one window, I'm afraid you are screwed and can do nothing but lay around naked under the fan and wipe yourself with cool damp clothes.

Doc

Answer 4

I have the same problem, I live on the top floor on the side where the sun sets, not cool. Close all the doors and windows during the day and put heavy blankets on the widows to block out the sun, then when I get home at night when its cooler I open up everything and put the fans at the doors to bring in cooler air and get rid of the hot air.

Answer 5

keep blinds and shades drawn when the sun is on that particular side of the house. I would plan to be away from the house on the hottest part of the day if possible. in the evening after the sun has gone down open the windows and place a fan in front of them to bring in some of the cooler air from outside. If you have to be home put wet wash clothes in the freezer and take them out and put them around your neck to keep cool. drink lots of water and eat light. find a good friend who has a/c..

Answer 6

Wear light clothes and open the windows and have a large fan to blow on you.

If you are really hot, then soak a rag in ammonia and water and wring it out and wipe your arms and forehead with it. The ammonia will evaporate and that will help cool you. good luck

Answer 7

I'd go buy a window unit and put it in, and if they say anything to you then tell them you'll take it out as soon as they put a central air unit in. It's inhumane to have you stay in a place with no air if the temps get that high, if it went to court you would win, stay cool.

Answer 8

get a fan and lay on your bed with your shirt off and spray your self with a spray bottle full of water. The water will evaporate and take heat with it.
It usually feels about 20 degrees cooler that way.

Another trick is to fill a water bottle with ice and wrap it in a towel and sling it around your neck. This will keep you feeling cool as well.

Answer 9

Open all the windows in the evening and overnight. Get a fan and put it near the window to create a breeze. Put up curtains and keep them closed during the day. Tape foil over your ceiling glass to keep the heat/sunlight out. If you are too hot to sleep, hang a small oscillating (rotating) fan on your wall or put it on your dresser. Aim it to blow at your bed.

Answer 10

wear swim trunks and get in and out of a cool tub of water as needed. A room fan is great, too.