What steps can I take to help adapt myself to a summer with air conditioning?

I live in a semi-tropical zone where temperatures are often well over 100. It is 38 (100.4 F) at the moment. It is the humidity that determines your comfort level, dry heat doesn't make you sweat as much as high humidity. I have no difficulty managing to live without air conditioning, in fact I will usually only turn the air on if I am having a dinner party or similar.

Wear only 100% cotton or silk, all synthetics increase perspiration they do not absorb. That includes some of the modern synthetics that are supposed to "wick" moisture away. Always wear clothing that is slightly loose, tight is uncomfortable in hot or humid conditions. I generally wear cotton shirts or Tee-shirts, shorts and either bare feet or sandals. I have one or two large blade fans to give a gentle air circulation, and I keep drapes drawn when it is hot, and open of an evening.

NEVER reduce metabolism, it is the beginning of all manner of real problems. A fast metabolism and low body fat handle heat and humidity far better than when a person has a slow metabolism and a higher body fat percentage. Eat smaller meals more frequently if you must.

Drink plenty of fluids, make sure that you do not reduce salt below healthy levels for hot conditions. That is a common mistake among misguided health wannabes. When you perspire you need to replace salt. Change (should be 100% cotton only) bed linen regularly, I use a Futon - the thin mattress with air flow beneath it is cooler than a thick mattress.

Consider putting canvas awnings over those windows that face the sun. It makes noticeable difference. Make sure that you have insulation in your ceiling.

Living in a hot climate is not difficult or uncomfortable once you adapt.

Cheers

Why deny yourself the comforts you have at your disposal? #1 space heaters can be very expensive to run so you may not be saving that much. #2 If you leave the windows open & it is very humid, you will perspire. One fan should suffice but why bother when the A/C is healthier & will enable you to sleep better. Also, don't miss a meal to reduce metabolism--it won't do much.

In Richmond, Virginia the summer season warmth and humdity will be brutal, exceptionally August and September. i did not stay in an air conditioned living house till 1990 after we offered our present day living house. We spent diverse time outdoors, regularly till darkish, and in many circumstances sat round with our feet interior the toddler pool to help keep us cool. We took cool showers in the previous bedtime, and used window followers to appeal to interior the cooler nighttime air. The worst circumstances were those lengthy warm spells at the same time as it did not get below 80 5 at nighttime for weeks on end. The sensible ingredient about no AC is that we were given to understand our friends ok because we were all outdoors plenty interior the summer season months. because I labored in faculties my total man or woman existence, I labored with out aircon in a room with thirty different bodies. We used followers, yet in many circumstances had to teach them off by way of noise. the first few weeks of faculty in September were regularly the worst. i'd come living house with my clothing soaked through with sweat. i actually weighed 2-3 pounds a lot less a the top of the day than I had weighed when I went to artwork that morning. It replaced into no longer uncommon for faculties to close because of warm temperature. ln the mid Eighteen Eighties, the college device put in window gadgets, also noisy, yet oh a lot more desirable smooth.