How long could you last without A/C?

[rabyoga]

I've survived for over 10 yrs. without AC. We lived in Colorado Springs without. That wasn't too bad (except for our last summer when it hit over 100 degrees). Here in NM, we have a swamp-it's okay for most of the summer. When the heat is over 95, then it's starting to get yucky.

 

[MineMail]

DH and I both grew up in NYC. His parents were addicated to a/c and his father would make him help put in the units every year. The annual ritual usually resulted in one or more injuries and for some strange reason, they only put the units downstairs, not up in the bedrooms.

When the thermometer goes above 75, DH turns on the central air in our house. He just can't handle the heat.

My family never had a/c until I was a teenager and I rarely touch the thermostat in the summer, except to raise the setting when I go out. It's unusual for me to be uncomfortable, I guess I just deal with the heat better.

I always found that a cool shower before bed and a fan worked just fine, even on 95+ nights. A trip to the beach or pool helps, as does a visit to an air conditioned store/mall/library.

Do any of your friends or family have an extra window unit that you can borrow for a while?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We have one window AC unit that we use occasionally. (And it's old so it doesn't work too well, lol.)

We love the fresh air. We live near the ocean so it's a little cooler here than inland, but also the smell of the sea and the sound of the waves is awesome, I couldn't imagine shutting it out, especially when the winters are so long here and the windows have to be shut most of the time. People can barely wait for summer in these parts, and it passes so quickly. We enjoy it while we can.

The biggest problem is when I have to sleep during the heat of the day working a night shift. But even then I don't mind it too much.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

...So could you guys last?

Indefinitely.

I live in the tropics with no A/C. No problem.

Fans and shade suffice and I end up feeling cold many nights even though the temp is hovering around 80.

 

[piglet50]

i've lived without a/c for 7 days when hurricane fran came through nc. our power was out for that amount of time. i know it's bad to say because there are so many worse things that can happen, but i thought i would
die. i actually cried when the power was restored. it's hot and humid in nc sometimes!

 

[jewjubean]

I'm in South Louisiana....we dont go very long without air conditioners. It's just makes you sick.

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

Not very long, that's for sure. When I grew up, only movie theaters had a/c & the heat didn't seem so bad. We didn't have central air until we got this house in 1992. Room a/c units just don't cut it although they help a bit.

This might sound stupid, but I don't think the heat was quite as bad in the 1950's & 1960's, etc. Sure, it was hot but things cooled down more during the evening because there were less people/cars/buildings & more green space. Course, this is JMO.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Not even 1 second. I live in Florida. I step outside and I can't breathe!

 

[sunnyday123]

I could live without it.

Plus, my dog cannot tolerate heat. 82 degrees is unbearable for her.

 

[KarenB]

I dislike AC and only turn it on if the temps are above 90 for 3 or more days. Usually it is the nights and sleeping that are the most uncomfortable. The reason I fight turning it on its I feel I have waited all winter to open the windows and blinds, I hate to close them back up again.

We turned it on this morning, set it at 80. The "real feel" is 96 and the overnight low is 75. Kind of rare for this area.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

i've lived without a/c for 7 days when hurricane fran came through nc. our power was out for that amount of time. i know it's bad to say because there are so many worse things that can happen, but i thought i would
die. i actually cried when the power was restored. it's hot and humid in nc sometimes!

I totally understand. Power crews from all over (other states too?) swarmed our area to restore power but it took time. A man I know lives right on the beach and rode his bike over to the power trucks, handed them several hundred dollars and gave them his address. He was successful. I will say he has health problems, is very charming and has a big ego. I call our generator "MyPrecious"!

 

[Nomi]

Up here? Forever. It's the heating we need!

 

[fraggle551]

I couldn't live without AC for ten minutes. I am the biggest heat wimp. I seriously morph into a different... evil... person.

Believe me, I am envious of folks who can tolerate heat and humidity without becoming homicidal. I realize that AC is a new invention in the history of humanity. But I just don't know how anyone survived!

This is me exactly. I am just a beast without a/c. I just had to get in my car which had the windows up all day and thought I would pass out. My skin gets all itchy and prickly and blech. I feel so sick in the heat its just awful.

We have central air and have not turned it on once in two years. We just decided that we were not going to do it. We are all in great shape, so it isn't a problem. All of the main rooms have great ceiling fans and we have many, many windows. No problem.

So people not in great shape are the only ones who need a/c? That is ridiculous. What is that even supposed to mean? I know plenty of people who need a/c and are in great shape.



I have a huge window unit in the downstairs of our house to cool the kitchen, living room, and den (open floor plan, kinda one big room).

The a/c unit in my bedroom goes in in April, and comes out around October. I have always been hot and just not able to tolerate the heat. I remember begging my mom to wear shorts to school in December when I was little because I would be so hot. I turn my window unit down to 60º at night, with the speed on high. Most mornings its about 64º in there, and its just perfect for me.

I have a friend who lives upstairs. Her parents do not believe in air conditioning. Her room has been 95º all week, with a window fan, and multiple fans running all over the place. She works from home, so she cannot just move downstairs, her office is also in her bedroom. To me having to live and work in 95º temperatures is just insane. I could not breathe in there, let alone manage to be productive and work.

 

[eliza61]

Op Here,

I tried fellow dissers, I really tried. 2 days, 90 degree plus. I found a small 10,000 btu unit for 89.00 bucks. I'm picking it up in 1 hour.

New unit is going to run me $5500 bucks ***gasp*** installed on Wednesday.

 

[freckles and boo]

The urban areas are usually where the heat related deaths are for the most part. Elderly who don't turn on the AC.

They really have been doing well with urban programs to keep people cool and check on the elderly.

People underestimate heat at their own risk. Here in Chicago we experienced a horrible few days in 1995 when over 700 people, mostly elderly, died heat related deaths. The link below is an interview with the author of Heat Wave, a book about what happened. Chicago learned some very, very big lessons.

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/443213in.html

 

[travelbug]

I wouldn't last long at all. I have low tolerance for heat and humidity. I enjoy my windows open when it's nice out (low humidity!) but not when it's hot and sticky. Yuck.

I tried fellow dissers, I really tried. 2 days, 90 degree plus. I found a small 10,000 btu unit for 89.00 bucks. I'm picking it up in 1 hour.

Good for you! $89 isn't bad at all for a few days of relief from the heat. Enjoy the coolness.