Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

[Peji911]

So its been 1 week since of traded the harsh Canadian winter for the Australian summer. What is weird is that in a country that averages over 20celsius for most of the year, a/c and central air homes are few and far between. I am living at an apartment right now and all I have is a ceiling fan in the living room and one in the bedroom (but I dont use it because the noise is brutal and I cant figure out why), and I bought another fan today for the floor.

Unfortuntely, it's still brutally hot in the apartment. I wake up numerous times in the night and sweating like crazy--pillows drenched, etc.

My question is: How the heck can I stay cold. I cant put an a/c in the window, not can I buy central air (Im only here for a year). Is there anything out there that can make my house cooler? Preferably something decently priced. Hopefully someone has a secret.

[Bird006]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

It's minus 55 celcius today with the windchill.



I hate you.

[Boltman]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

Having stayed in New Zealand during this time of year I'll tell you this.


Get used to the Southern Hemisphere mate! hahahaha!

[p_rushing]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

windows- cover them with curtains during the day to block the sun
fans- you need to create a draft, if it gets cool enough at night, open a window(don't know if this is safe where you are at) and face a fan near it to pass the cooler air in. you can also place a damp cool rag(or even ice) in front of the fan, it will cool it a little but it will create more humidity, then you can also use the rag and put it on your head since it will be cool to help you.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

How many fans do you have? But yeah, covering your windows will help a lot like p_rushing suggested.

[Knight165]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

Sleep in the fridge.

M.K.
Knight165

[SPTO]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

Can we trade places? I'd rather be hot then cold.

That being said sleep with a cold water bag underneath you.

[nyisles16]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

get a window fan... I got one, & it cools my place I ever dare say better than my A/C

like this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070515x00001a

[pk500]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

get a window fan... I got one, & it cools my place I ever dare say better than my A/C

like this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070515x00001a

Bingo.

I refuse to throw money down the drain with central air or window-mounted AC units at our house in upstate N.Y., so we got one of these window fans for my son's room, which faces west and bakes after sunset. The thing works GREAT.

Another tip is to keep your curtains shut all day. That will keep the sun out of the room, which drops the temperature a few degrees.

Enjoy Oz!

Take care,
PK

[ehh]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

The dual window fans are the best, blow one prop out and have one blowing in. This helps balance things out if it's already hot as hell in your place.

A fun little trick for a nice smelling home that we'd do in college; place a dryer sheet on the back of the fan blowing in, you'll get a not-too-strong, clean scent.

[ODogg]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

Just get an indoor A/C. They don't go in the window. They just sit on the floor. I had one at my old job when I worked at an ISP. They had it to cool down the back room where all the PC's and equipment were (the back room had no windows).

[theaub]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

I just want to note I'm not aware of one house around with without A/C.

And I'd trade places with you in an instant lol? How'd you get so lucky?

[Peji911]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

And I'd trade places with you in an instant lol? How'd you get so lucky?

Im here for my Masters.

And people seem inclined to switch places (I would of said the same thing 2 weeks ago), but its over 45/50 with humidity and here they dont have isolation of A/Cs. Its a nice country, but from what Ive seen, it's nothing like I expected. Pictures make it look nicer than it is.

Right now Im at Surfers Paradise.... its supposed to be amazing and whatnot but every single beach Ive been to in Portugal, Barcelona, Rio and a few beaches in Morocco Ive been to absolutely BLOW this beach, and the others around here, out of the water.

As for the window situation. I did leave the windows open, and with a screen and with the blinds closed, and last night I went to my room and it had some Decos in there (little lizards). Grossssss!

[Peji911]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

get a window fan... I got one, & it cools my place I ever dare say better than my A/C

like this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070515x00001a

I wish I could find that at a store here in Oz, but havent been able to

[SPTO]

Re: Cooling Off without A/C or Central Air

I

As for the window situation. I did leave the windows open, and with a screen and with the blinds closed, and last night I went to my room and it had some Decos in there (little lizards). Grossssss!

Well there goes keeping the windows open at night. Who knows, maybe a koala will come in and claw you to the death. I've heard that they're not so cuddly and cute