Installing an air conditioner at home or replacing it involves making a significant investment at a specific moment that is not always possible to afford. That is why, at some point, many readers must have asked themselves the same question when high temperatures appear: how to survive the heat without air conditioning? There are key points that should not be overlooked: from cooling the room we are in, to controlling humidity or managing body heat during the hottest moments of the day (and night), especially during heat waves or extreme temperature rises.
Surviving the heat without air conditioning: the most effective methods
At EL PAÍS Escaparate we like to make life easier for our readers and, when it comes to temperature, there are always tricks to carry out to relieve the thermal sensation of discomfort that often occurs during summer. When the heat allows no respite, you have to sharpen your ingenuity, spend just enough, and take action with these steps:
- Choose the device that suits us best: a fan with misting is not the same as a ceiling model or a powerful portable one.
- Keep the house cool for as many hours as possible: closing the hottest rooms, ventilating at dawn, or lowering awnings are some examples.
- Promote proper body cooling: such as hydrating regularly, opting to wear cotton or linen clothes, or taking lukewarm showers.
- Relieve heat during sleep: using thermoregulating sheets, avoiding screens, or using a silent fan are always good alternatives.
With all the above, you should add a series of accessories and products that help keep us cool without resorting to air conditioning. Among the most notable, we have gathered the following in the list below:
Silent and powerful tower fan from Cecotec
Fresh air is one of the most effective and fastest solutions to reduce the feeling of stuffiness inside the house when the heat is intense outside. And this tower fan generates a refreshing breeze without making noise: it features a LCD screen to easily control its three operating modes, enjoys an elegant design, and has a timer.
4-in-1 evaporative fan
This is the closest alternative to traditional air conditioning with which you can lower the ambient temperature in a very short time. The evaporative cooler we have spotted has wheels, a carrying handle, and remote control included. Its tank has a capacity of 10 liters, it features automatic oscillation, automatic shut-off, and sleep mode.
6% discount, save 10 euros.
Mini portable USB air conditioner with seven LED lights
The popularity of mini air conditioners for use in any corner of the home keeps growing. Therefore, this device is a great purchase option. In fact, its average rating on Amazon is nearly perfect: it transforms ice-cold water into a very refreshing and powerful breeze. Its three ventilation modes and triple speed reduce the temperature by ten degrees. And its energy saving? It only consumes ten watts.
20% discount with the associated discount coupon until June 30.
Thermal blackout curtains with elegant and modern design
Reducing the actual heat we have at home without spending a single cent of electricity during summer is also possible. One of the products that achieves this is thermal blackout curtains, which are also a very practical solution during heat waves. They block sunlight very well and can be hung in two ways. Additionally, they are sold in various colors to place them in any room and in multiple sizes.
36% discount, save 13.50 euros.
Bubble insulation to place on windows and other areas
“It is a material that weighs nothing. We use it to insulate an attic”, comments a user about this thermal insulation measuring three meters long by 60 cm wide. It can be cut as needed and easily installed in areas such as the ceiling, wall, or large windows. This double-sided aluminum sheet prevents sunlight from entering to keep a cool temperature longer. It is sold in more sizes.
Ceiling fan with light and six speeds included
We choose the ceiling fan with light best-selling on Amazon (more than 4,000 units sold just last month). It has a compact size that will work in any room of the home and provides powerful and efficient lighting, which can also be adjusted. Additionally, its blades unfold when turned on and hide when the fan is off. Its ceiling installation is very simple.
Cooling fitted sheet available in various sizes and colors
Sleeping hot and resting throughout the night are two conditions that do not go well together in the worst of the heatwave. Therefore, a thermoregulating fitted sheet like the one in the image is a sure bet. It is made of bamboo with antibacterial protection, very soft and silky, and cools up to three times more than those made of cotton.
Instant cooling blanket available in various sizes
There are sofa blankets that are not only used to keep warm during winter. Others allow lowering body temperature while we sleep. As is the case with the example in the image: it can absorb the heat we emit by up to five degrees. It is very soft, breathes well, and provides a constant coolness for a restorative sleep.
28% discount, save 11.12 euros.
Set of breathable pillows with Aloe Vera outer cover
Keeping the head area as airy as possible will result in a more pleasant rest, especially during tropical summer nights. Therefore, replacing the traditional pillow with a memory foam and thermoregulating one like the set in the image is essential. Its outer cover is antibacterial and very breathable, promoting good rest and a cool and relaxing sleep continuously.
Refreshing and light facial mist with multiple scents
Providing an immediate sensation of freshness on the face makes a difference when the heat prevents us from getting a restorative sleep or we need to reduce the occasional discomfort associated with high temperatures, to name two examples. Something that mists with a soothing and moisturizing effect achieve perfectly. Like the one we highlight: its formula rebalances the thermal flora by including hyaluronic acid, betaine, and panthenol.
32% discount, save 5.93 euros.
Desktop fan with four speeds
Available in various colors, there are multiple desktop fans to work at home or in the office without melting in summer. But the one we have spotted is currently the best value for money on Amazon: it can be charged via USB, offers four usage levels, long autonomy (up to 15 hours in its neutral mode), is ultra-quiet, and weighs very little: less than 300 grams.
Ultra-quiet portable dehumidifier
This is one of the most efficient devices if we live in humid areas throughout the summer. We refer, of course, to dehumidifiers: the device we have spotted has a removable tank of almost two liters and is perfect to place in any corner, whether in bedrooms, bathrooms, or when going on vacation with a caravan. It features seven LED colors, programmable timer, and a very quiet operation.
Frequently asked questions about how to survive the heat without air conditioning
What other actions can be taken at home to lower the ambient temperature by a few more degrees?
One way to further reduce the feeling of heat discomfort inside the house is to turn off lights or appliances that generate more heat.
For both cases, solutions such as lights that turn off automatically when they stop detecting movement or the use of power strips to always control which devices are operating are very practical.
What combined actions are best to apply at home if there is no air conditioning?
Although there are several ways to reduce the high thermal sensation inside the home, a combination of actions like the one we highlight is among the most effective possible: you can use an evaporative fan and a tower fan, as well as close the blinds during the central hours of the day and create cross ventilation during the hottest nights.
[Remember that if you are an Amazon Prime user, all purchases have free shipping. Amazon offers a free and no-obligation trial period for 30 days.]
*All purchase prices included in this article are updated as of June 3, 2026.
You can follow EL PAÍS ESCAPARATE on Instagram, or subscribe here to our Newsletter.
Read more At least seven dead in a Ukrainian attack on a bus in the Russian-occupied area
