How A Meteorologist Stays Cool Without Turning On The A/C

Smarter Ways To Stay Cool At Home

When temperatures start climbing, most people instinctively reach for the thermostat. But meteorologist Rob Shackelford says you can stay comfortable longer without touching the air conditioning, if you understand the weather and use a few smart techniques at home.

One of the simplest and most effective strategies is bringing in cool air at the right time.

At night, when cool temperatures are more likely, Shackelford recommends you “just crack open a couple of windows in your house just to let a little bit more of that cold air in. So when you wake up in the morning, it's a little chilly, but it does keep your house cool throughout the day."

Checking the forecast can maximize your opportunities. “If you know a cold front is coming through," he adds, "you can be extra ready."

For even better results, create airflow through your home: “Specifically opening windows that are opposite of each other in your home, it creates a cross breeze that flows through your house, keeping cool air circulating," he suggests.

(MORE: Should You Turn Your Air Off When You’re Not Home?)

Remember that timing is everything for this trick.

“You can’t open windows during the middle of the day when the peak sunshine is happening," he warns. "You’d be defeating the purpose."

For the hotter parts of the day, he recommends keeping blinds and curtains closed to trap heat outside.

• Turning on ceiling fans
• Making sure your oven removes warm air properly
• Leaving ice out in a bowl
• Running a dehumidifier to help remove mugginess

(MORE: New Home Material Could Be More Weather Resistant)

While these methods can help you delay using AC, Shackelford emphasizes personal comfort.

“I’m gonna leave it up to your personal preference,” he says. “I don’t want you to make yourself oppressive and be sweating all during the day because you refuse to turn your A/C on.”

This means knowing when warm temperatures are about to get more serious. Shackelford recommends looking out for two key weather patterns in the forecast.

“One is southerly flow," he explains. "All that it means is that winds are coming in from your south. Generally, if it’s south of you, it’s probably warmer than where you are right now."

The second signal is high pressure. “If you have a high pressure building in your area, it leads to very stable sinking air,” he says, adding that these setups can lead to high temperatures and even heat domes.

Either of these would be a sign to suck it up and kick on the A/C, he notes.

In the meantime, remember it's not about eliminating air conditioning entirely, but about using smart, weather-based strategies to rely on it less.

"If you crack your windows at night, allow for that cross breeze flow, and close your blinds and windows during the day, you could stay comfortable in your house longer," concludes Shackelford.