As summer heat builds, more people will rely on air conditioning units to keep cool. But what do you do if you don’t have central AC? A lot of people don’t. In fact, in places like England, France, Coastal Communities, and in locations where adding a costly AC unit has never really been necessary before, the global bake that’s been happening this summer has been downright deadly.
So it may be helpful to harken back to a time before air conditioning existed, when people had to be creative when trying to stay comfortable in sweltering conditions. Here are five different ways people across the United States beat the heat in the 1800s and early 1900s, and options for updating their methods.
Water Fountains
Water fountains were very different in the 1800s and early 1900s than they are now, but they still provided an easy way to cool off in the summer. Some fountains in big cities were built as large troughs so people could do more than just take a drink of water. On a hot summer day, they were an oasis where people could submerge their heads to stay cool. However, fountains like these made it easier to find some relief from the heat, they also made it easier to contract an illness. Not only were many different people using these fountains but sometimes horses and other animals would use them as well, often rendering them unsanitary.
In the age of Covid, perhaps not best to look for a “trough” so to speak, but perhaps your community has a water park or public frolic fountain?
Ice blocks
With an eye on the summer heat, people would harvest and store ice blocks during the winter to be used in the warmer months. Having ice available in the summer took some planning before refrigeration was available. People would have to harvest ice from lakes that were frozen over during the winter months. The ice would then be stored in naturally cool buildings or cellars, called ice-houses, where they would sit before being distributed months later.
Using ice to cool down on a hot summer day was efficient, but it was not always reliable due to the variability of winter weather. If there was a mild winter, not as much ice would available to harvest, making it a rare commodity months later when the hot weather arrives. However, in frigid winters, more ice would be available to harvest, making the ice cheaper and more accessible during the summer.
Today, if you can’t find a chunk of ice to harvest, perhaps get a bag or two from your local grocery store and make room in your freezer to grab a chunk and cool off as needed.
High ceilings
Creative architecture was another way to prevent indoor conditions from becoming stifling and uncomfortable. Because hot air rises, some buildings were built with high ceilings. The hot, rising air would then escape through windows near the ceiling to create a natural airflow.
If your home doesn’t have high ceilings, and you’re not inclined to take a sledgehammer to yours, a ceiling fan fixture is actually a fairly inexpensive addition that can make a big difference.
Front porches
Ever wonder why so many older homes have these massive screened porches, especially in traditionally hot and humid areas, like the Southeast? Architects frequently incorporated front porches onto houses to give homeowners some relief from the heat. People could then sit outside during the evening and early in the night when it was cooler, and the screens kept the pesky mosquitoes (and other pests) at bay. The porch eventually turned into a place to socialize with friends and family while cooling off after a long hot day.
A siesta in the shade
Possibly the simplest way to beat the heat before air conditioning was to take a nap in a grassy area under a tree. Trees can be found almost everywhere, even in the heart of New York City and provide plenty of shade for people nearby. People who lived in traditionally hot, arid climates (like Mexico) had the right idea. Taking a siesta, i.e. nap, in the afternoon also meant not doing any strenuous work during the hottest part of the day, reducing the threat of dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
So, perhaps the next time you need some relief from the oppressive heat, think back, and get cool.
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Photo Credit: Ed Connor / Shutterstock.com