How did people deal with hot weather at home & work before air conditioning?

Answer 1

The answers are many.
High ceilings and windows that were tall and opened from the top down were commonly used. Heat rises and any air movement would remove the warmest air from the room.
Transoms above doors were common for the same reason.
Earth sheltered homes were common out on the prairie areas. The soil stays cool in summer, relatively warm in winter.
Fans supplement the air movement. They cool by encouraging the evaporation of moisture. They are more helpful when the humidity is low.
When air is moist, evaporation is inhibited.
Soon to follow was the evaporative cooler. Likewise , low humidity was required for them to be effective.

Answer 2

It depends on how far back you go. Before current air conditioning people had swamp (or evaporative) coolers. They are filled with water and the hot air blowing over them evaporated the water and created cooler air. They used fans too. Remember too that many people worked very early in the morning or close to sunset and went into the shade from the heat of the day. Our cities are hotter now with all the pavement, cement and buildings absorbing the sun's heat as well. Water has been moved or drained from it's original sources where people worked near the cooler water.

Answer 3

Not well. If you look at older houses and buildings, you can see design features to enhance natural cooling. These are high ceilings, bigger windows both improve air flow. In the south western region of the USA and in Mexico, the roofs are flat, thus no attic space to trap hot air. They also had thicker walls that hold the cool of the night and block the heat of the day.

Answer 4

My mom never let us have air conditioning and alot of families still don't because they can't afford the AC and the electric bill associated with it. You just use fans, sleep with light clothes or just a sheet and sweat alot! LOL Oh...and take lots of showers!

Answer 5

AC systems can be used in winter but usually require low ambient controls to be installed. A tech would have to check the particular unit to determine this option.

Answer 6

Stay in shaded areas, work more outside in the morning and inside during the day.
Wearing hats to shade you, umbrellas, etc...

Mind over matter.

Answer 7

It depends what country you're referring to. Many people simply wore very little clothing. Others owned handkerchiefs and fans to wipe away sweat and cool themselves.

Answer 8

THEY DID IT BECAUSE THEY NEVER GOT SPOILED BY HAVING AIR CONDITIONING THEY NEVER HAD ANYTHING TO COOL THEMSELVES WITH.THAT'S LIKE SOMEONE LIVING IN A DESERT THEY'RE USE TO THE HEAT THEN SOMEONE LIVING IN THE NORTH POLE USE TO THE COLD, SWITCHING ENVIROMENTS FOR 1 WEEK, THEY COULD NOT STAND IT,THEIR BODIES COULD NOT TAKE THE CHANGES.THINK ABOUT IT.......

Answer 9

I would imagine, keeping the blinds down and the wind blowing through. I bet they didn't smell too good either.

Answer 10

in Chicago they slept at the lake front or on there porch
i have ac but i do not you it the ac this year because the electric price went up 20% in chicago