Summer is getting hotter and hotter every year. We really feel the effect of global warming.
People rely on air conditioning to cool down. In Japan, summer seems like impossible to live without air conditioning. We become so dependent on it more and more, but it causes the outside temperature to rise. It is a vicious cycle: to cool us down, we are causing the temperature to rise.
Although I don’t recommend anyone to go without air conditioning when the temperature is dangerously high, there are things we can do to cool down when the temperature is moderately high. It would be ideal to see the future without needing to use the air conditioning. In this article, I will share with you some of the things that you can do stay cool.
Ways to Staying Cool without Using Air Conditioning
Here are some tips for staying cool without air conditioning.
Open windows to ventilate
To cool a room, the hot air in the room must be let out. Open the windows and let the air circulate. It is also recommended to point a fan or an air circulator towards the window to let the hot air out.
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Use light-blocking curtains
To keep the room cool, it is recommended to use light-blocking curtains to prevent sunlight from penetrating the room. Choosing light-colored curtains will reduce the rise in room temperature. If possible, it is even better to choose curtains made of natural materials!
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Cool down the neck
When you are outside or inside, the best way to cool down the body temperature fast is to apply a wet towel or a ice pillow on the neck, wrists, inside of elbows and knees, or temples.
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Reduce the humidity in the room
In Japan, humidity level is high so it feels hotter. When the temperature is moderate, it helps to feel cooler by reducing the humidity level with a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers usually remove humidity while releasing heat, but compressor or hybrid types are recommended for summer because they do not exhaust hot air.
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Insulate the roof
If you are building your own home or considering renovating your home, you can reduce the rise in indoor temperatures by using insulation in the roof and incorporating ceiling insulation. You can also save money because it reduces the use of air conditioners.
Apply thermal barrier paint to exterior walls
If you do not have the budget to remodel, we recommend using thermal barrier paint to protect against heat. It reflects the sun’s rays and prevents the interior temperature from rising.
Reduce using the appliances that generate heat
Appliances such as a TV, a computer or a microwave generate heat. Therefore, it’s better to avoid using them when possible. In Japan, there are so many places to eat out, which prevent from cooking and rising the inside temperature at home.
Japanese Traditional Solutions to Hot Weather
More than 100 years ago, Japanese people used to live without air conditioners. People used their wisdom to stay cool during hot weather. You might want to try them to stay cool this summer.
Sprinkling water called Uchimizu
Uchimizu is a technique that has been used since the Edo period as a way to cool down streets by pouring water on the ground. You can try to sprinkle water on your balcony or at your front door to cool it down. Since temperatures are high during the daytime and water evaporates, sprinkling water in the morning and evening would be more effective.
Use a bamboo screen
Long time ago, people used bamboo screens called sudare to block the light. Since breezes can pass through the bamboo, it’s a great way to block the sun light while allowing the wind to pass.
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Incorporate Igusa grass
Igusa grass is used for tatami and it is known as a material that absorbs and releases moisture, keeping you dry and comfortable in summer. No wonder tatami mats are incorporated in Japanese home! The aroma of rush grass has a relaxing effect, releasing your stress. If you don’t have a tatami mat room, you can buy Igusa grass cushions.
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Send a gentle breeze with an uchiwa fan
Uchiwa fans have been used in Japan since 6-7th century. People used to use it to send a gentle breeze during summer. You can also use sensu folding fans which are compact and can fit in your purse. You can spray Hakka oil to send cool minty scent as you swing the fan.
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Other Solutions against Heat
Many countries have taken measures to combat global warming. There are solutions without using air conditioning to keep cities cool.
Plant trees to reduce temperatures
Did you know that the temperature in the city is 10 degrees higher than in the countryside? It’s called the “heat island effect,” and it means that temperatures rise in places where people and cars congregate. The temperature outside the city spikes high when many households use air conditioners.
In some cities, they plant many trees to reduce the rise in temperature. Trees create shadows that make it easier for people to stay outside. The moisture in the leaves also seems to reduce the rise in temperature. The temperature rises less in the countryside because there are more trees.
It would be a great idea to incorporate more tress and greenery in the cities. Creating gardening spaces on the rooftops or on the balcony of apartments are also great ways to create more green space in the cities.
Preventing heat with color
As mentioned earlier, there are solutions to incorporate heat insulating materials on roofs and thermal barrier paints to cool down inside. Painting buildings and roofs in bright colors can help reduce the rise in temperature.
In LA, some streets were repainted white in 2019 and it was reported that the temperature around those streets dropped. It’s a measure that could be adopted in other cities.
Santorini Island in Greece is famous for its white buildings. It can be quite hot in summer there, we can appreciate the ancient wisdom of using white color to make the city little cooler.
Running water to cool the building
Even in Paris, temperatures are rising in the summer due to the global warming. Although few buildings have air conditioning, it is becoming harder for Parisians to get through the hot summer. However, many people do not want to use air conditioners because they raise the temperature outside.
So in 2008, a technology was introduced that uses water to cool buildings. Water from the Seine River is cooled and circulated through pipes to the building, thereby lowering the indoor temperature. Today, the Louvre Museum and the Houses of Parliament use this system to cool their buildings without the use of air conditioning.
The system does not use fuel and can lower indoor temperatures without letting hot air out, so we can expect great things from this system in the future. Paris is aiming to cool all buildings in the city with this system by 2042.
Cooling the Planet for the Future
It is crucial to cool down the temperature without using air conditioners. Living in Japan, I feel like it’s impossible to spend a day without air conditioning, but I would like to consider alternatives if possible.
I hope you can incorporate some of the ideas to cool down this summer!
