Living in Texas Without Air Conditioning

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When you think of Texas, you also think of its weather. In the southern part of the US, the state has around four months of hot weather reaching up to 90°F!

The hot and humid weather of Texas may be a nightmare to live in for some people. That being said, living in Texas without air conditioning is still possible, especially if you’ve got some tricks up your sleeve. Over time, your body will also adjust to the temperature, so you won’t have to rely too much on air conditioning.

Technician of the air conditioning system is working on installing a new air conditioner in the apartment. - Texas View

How to Live in Texas Without Air Conditioning

If you live in Texas without air conditioning, here are some tips to help you get through the warmer seasons:

  • Insulate your home
  • Stay hydratedWear breathable clothes
  • Create cross-breeze
  • Take cool showers
  • Wear breathable clothes
  • Place ice packs on your pulse points

Insulate Your Home

If your house is less than 20 years old, it probably already has insulation. That’s because the International Energy Conservation Code (IEEC) in 2001 and the International Residential Code (IRC) in 2009 mandated home insulation.

However, many Texan homes already existed before these codes. If this is the case for you, it’s better to retrofit your house with insulation. Not only does this comply with the current regulations, but it’ll also help you retain cool air in the summer months.

Stay Hydrated

Keeping yourself cool by drinking cold water is a quick fix for hot weather. A crisp drink can give you enough hydration to regulate your body temperature.

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When you don’t drink enough water, there’s a tendency for your body to store more heat. As a result, you won’t be able to stand higher temperatures.

On the other hand, staying hydrated helps produce sweat during overactivity. Your body has a built-in mechanism that cools you down in warmer weather. What’s more, it also prevents you from suffering heat stroke.

Take Cool Showers

One way to keep yourself comfortable in the heat of Texan summers is to take cool showers. When the cold water touches your warm skin, your pores open and release the stored heat in your body.

Although this isn’t a long-term solution while living in Texas without air conditioning, it certainly helps in cooling your body down.

Wear Breathable Clothes

If you can’t tolerate cold showers, another way to keep your body cool is by wearing breathable clothes.

Cotton

You may want to choose cotton most of the time for its soft fabric and more fashionable options. Aside from that, cotton doesn’t need any special care. So, you simply toss it in the washing machine for easy cleaning.

However, cotton also absorbs moisture. That’s why if you sweat a lot, it’ll be better to change clothes more often. By doing so, you’ll also prevent your body from developing an unpleasant odor.

Cotton fabrics are also great as bed sheets since they’re breathable. So, you can still get a good night’s sleep in Texas without air conditioning.

Polyester

Polyester clothes are common for active wear. If you frequently play sports, you’ll know that they’re one of the most breathable fabrics.

Unlike cotton, polyester is water-repellent, so it won’t absorb sweat. As a result, you won’t feel as sticky wearing this fabric in the hot weather of Texas.

While polyester works great as sportswear, they’re not popular as bed sheets.

Linen

Many summer clothes have linen fabrics for a good reason. That’s because it’s naturally breathable, thanks to its large weaves. Additionally, this weave arrangement allows air to flow around your skin instead of sticking to it.

In fact, linens are more breathable than cotton fibers. However, it’s also heavier. So, you may still want to opt for cotton when choosing bed sheets.

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Create Cross-Breeze

A neat trick to create a cooling effect in your home is to create a cross-breeze. How this works is you pull fresh air from an outside source and let it through the house. The cross-breeze happens when you allow the air to exit through another outlet.

For example, open two windows from opposite sides of your living room for the air to circulate. This arrangement lets a steady stream of air that cools your home.

However, remember that creating a cross-breeze needs some strategy. That means you’ll have to figure out the wind’s direction before deciding which window to open. Once done, you can test the airflow by opening an outlet window.

Additionally, you won’t want too many opened windows because it can create random breezes that mess up the cooling process.

If there isn’t enough wind that enters, you can add a fan to circulate the air. Simply make sure that the fan helps direct the airflow instead of against it.

Place Ice Packs on Pulse Points

One of your last resorts in surviving the Texas heat is to place ice packs on your pulse points. By doing so, you’ll be lowering the core temperature of your body. In turn, it’ll make you feel cooler.

You’ll want to place ice packs on your wrists or neck to feel the cooling effect. These spots have blood vessels that are closest to your skin. So, you’ll feel your body temperature go down much faster.

Texas Air Conditioning FAQs

What is it like living in Texas without air conditioning?

Living conditions in Texas may vary, especially if you don’t have air conditioning. Many people can’t stand the humid weather, while others grow tolerant of it. Either way, living in Texas without air conditioning depends on how you approach the situation.
Lucky for you, there are many ways to relieve the hot weather. One of the most sustainable methods is by creating a cross-breeze in your home.

Can you get used to living in Texas without air conditioning?

You can get used to having no air conditioning in hot places like Texas. Of course, the process isn’t always comfortable. So, expect to have some excruciating experiences with heat first.
However, not all people can live in that kind of environment. At the end of the day, only you know your preferences when it comes to heat tolerance.

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References

Author Profile

Christian Linden is a seasoned writer and contributor at Texas View, specializing in topics that resonate with the Texan community. With over a decade of experience in journalism, Christian brings a wealth of knowledge in local politics, culture, and lifestyle. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Texas. When he's not writing, Christian enjoys spending weekends traveling across Texas with his family, exploring everything from bustling cities to serene landscapes.

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