Keeping Cool Without Air Conditioning When it’s Hotter Than Hades Out

Not everyone has air con, and if you do, rising costs make it expensive to run. Here are some ways to keep cool without air conditioning.

We live in Queensland. It gets hot. Real hot. I prefer the dry heat to the humidity any day, but when it’s over 40°C (104°F), it’s hot, no matter what the humidity is.

For the first ten years we lived in Queensland, we didn’t have air conditioning. I spent a lot of both pregnancies lying like a beached whale in the bath in cold water, trying to keep cool in temperatures over 35°C.

Nowadays, we have an air con downstairs, but with the rise in energy costs, we try to use it as little as possible.

Heat waves are the deadliest natural hazard in Australia, killing over 400 people a year – more than all other natural hazards combined [source]. So if there’s a heat wave, air conditioning can quite literally be a lifesaver if you have it.

But if you don’t have air conditioning, here are some tips for staying cool.

Tips for keeping cool in Summer

On super hot days, it’s important to stay out of the heat as much as possible. If you can visit the library, shopping centre, movies, community centre, café, or anywhere there’s air conditioning.

Another option is hanging out at a friend’s or family’s home where there’s air conditioning.

Staying hydrated is also very important. It’s important to drink plenty of water and keep dehydrating beverages like caffeine and alcohol to a minimum. If I’m sweating a lot, I sometimes find I need a hydrolyte drink to keep the balance right.

Eat salads, ice blocks, fruit and cool foods that you don’t have to cook.

Stay still and out of the sun. Exercising and moving around increases body temperature, and exercising during hot weather can increase fluid loss. And I’m not just talking about doing a HIIT class. Even vacuuming or scrubbing the shower counts as exercise. So lounging around in front of the fan can help keep you cooler.

Where light, loose-weave clothes and as little as practical and comfortable.

Soak your feet. Cooling your feet in water may help you feel more comfortable by reducing sweating and easing thermal discomfort, especially in humid climates [source]. However, studies on seniors suggest it doesn’t reduce core temperature or heart rate, meaning it’s not a reliable strategy to mitigate the serious effects of extreme heat. While it might offer temporary relief, it’s best paired with other cooling methods.

Does a cold shower or bath help? I love a cold shower when it’s sweltering—especially before bed when I’m sticky and uncomfortable. It feels amazing to lie under the fan afterwards!

HealthDirect recommends cool showers or baths as part of a broader strategy to stay safe in the heat, with baths—where you’re fully immersed—being more effective for serious cooling.

There’s a twist, though. While cold water cools your skin and provides quick relief, research suggests lukewarm showers (around 33°C) may be better at lowering core temperature by improving blood flow [source: Swinburne Uni].

Know the signs of heat-related illness. Heat-related illness can escalate quickly and become life-threatening, sometimes requiring immediate medical attention. Make sure you’re familiar with the symptoms and know what to do if you or someone else feels unwell. For a full list of symptoms for conditions like heat rash, dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, visit the HealthDirect website using the link above.

Tips for keeping the house cool in summer without air conditioning

If you’re trying to stay cool at home, here are some tips for minimising the heat inside.

Keep the blinds and curtains closed to keep the sun out.

If you have a hot NW wind blowing, keep the windows closed to keep the heat out. If there’s a cooling southerly blowing, open the windows for cross-ventilation to keep the air flowing. I open up the windows and doors once the sun goes down to get some cooler air flowing.

Heat rises. Try to stay downstairs as much as possible if you have two storeys.

South and west-facing rooms are usually cooler in the mornings as they don’t get direct sunlight.

Insulate your windows with aluminium foil to keep the sun and heat out.

Turn off all unessential electric appliances. Even on standby, electric appliances can give off heat, making the house hot.

Avoid using the oven when it’s hot. This is a great time to have a barbeque or eat salads and cold food. If I want hot food, I sometimes take the air fryer outside.

Keep the lights off.

Plan around the weather if you can. I try to get as much done as I can during the early morning before it gets too hot. It’s why people joke about Queenslanders being early rises—it’s too hot to do anything active after 7am (if you can avoid it, that is—thank you, tradies, I don’t know how you do it!).

Place a fan in a window. This helps bring cool air in (not effective if the air outside is scorching, but it can help at night or after a cool change).

Freeze bottles of water and place them in a drip tray in front of a fan. This kind of gives an ‘air conditioned’ effect as the frozen water cools the air as it passes by. Alternatively, you could place a tray of ice in front of the fan.

Tips for Staying Cool in Dry Heat

Using water to stay cool is more effective in dry heat than in high humidity.

That’s because dry air allows sweat or water on your skin to evaporate quickly, which cools you down. But when it’s humid, the air is already packed with moisture, so evaporation—and the cooling it brings—slows down. This is why evaporative coolers are so popular and effective in dry climates where relative humidity is below 60%, but they struggle to make a difference in tropical regions with heavy humidity.

Here are some ways to cool your body down in dry heat conditions.

Sweat: the body’s natural cooling system. It’s no coincidence that spicy, sweat-inducing food is consumed in some of the hottest climates in the world. If the food you consume makes you sweat, those foods can actually cool your body down with the evaporative cooling effect.

Use a spray bottle to spray water on your skin to emulate the sweat response. This is especially effective if you stand under or near a fan.

Hang your washing in front of a window or door. Any breeze that comes through open doors or windows will be cooled by the water on the washing.

Pin a damp sheet over an open doorway or window or in front of a fan for the same effect.

Cover yourself with a wet sheet and sit in front of a fan.

Sit in front of a fan on a picnic chair or other chair that allows airflow, with a damp t-shirt hanging over the back of it.

Use a damp cloth on the back of your neck and on your forehead. Or wrap a wet scarf around your neck.

Leave your hair damp instead of blow drying it.

Air conditioning can save lives in extreme heat, but if you don’t have access to it, it’s important to have other strategies to stay cool. From soaking your feet to using fans creatively or adjusting your home’s setup, small actions can make a big difference in beating the heat.

Remember, everyone’s situation is different, so combining methods that work best for you is key. And don’t forget to check on vulnerable family members, neighbours, or pets during heat waves—they may need extra help staying cool and safe.

Have your own tried-and-tested ways to keep cool? Share your tips in the comments below.