Summers are that time of the year when our favourite thing to do is just switch on the air conditioner and sit in a cosy room doing nothing, but not everyone gets a chance to have this luxury. Staying cool doesn’t always have to depend entirely on AC. There are plenty of simple, sustainable ways to keep your body comfortable and refreshed during the heat.
How Sustainable Are ACs?
AC has become a staple for comfort, but at what cost? It significantly harms the social, economic and environmental structure.
According to studies, AC consumes approximately 10% of global electricity, and per household, electricity consumption increases by 36% on average, causing energy poverty for lower-income households.
Also, older units tend to consume 20% to 40% more because they become insufficient, which ultimately causes financial drain.
Air conditioning is one of the root causes of global warming and carbon footprints, as HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbon) present in some ACs increase the chances of global warming a thousand time than that of CO2.
AC units cool the indoors by expelling heat outside, which can increase urban street temperatures by over 1°C at night. It also causes around 3% of global greenhouse gases.
Another concern is something that has nothing to do with whether one can afford it or not: health! Continuous use of AC damages your skin, making it dry, causes irritation to your eyes, headaches and respiratory issues. Too much exposure lowers the natural heat tolerance of your body.
Know some of the alternative ways to stay cool
- Storing water in a clay pot cools it through scientific methods, which is evaporation. The tiny pores in the pot allow it to seep and evaporate that causes the cooling effect without electricity.
- Khus curtains, which are made of vetiver grass, create an earthy aroma and act as natural ACs when you sprinkle water on them.
- Whitewashing the roofs reduces the temperature inside by 2% – 5% as it reflects the sunlight instead of absorbing it.
- Follow a cross-ventilation system, keeping the windows closed during the peak hot hours, like afternoons, and opening them during cooler hours.
- Use DIYs like putting a bowl of ice in front of the fan or hanging a wet, damp cloth in the window.
- Air coolers are a better alternative to ACs as they consume far less electricity and are best suited for dry climates. The only thing to keep in mind is they need ventilation to work well as uses water evaporation technique.
- Plant as many trees as you can. Trees are the Earth’s natural coolers. Plants like aloe vera and areca palm are great options indoors.
- Use curtains that block sunlight, like blackout or thermal curtains.
Your everyday lifestyle can also be the problem
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important things all year round, especially in summers.
Hydration should tick the first box. The body loses water and electrolytes because of sweat during extreme temperatures. Plain water is fine, but coconut water, buttermilk and lemon water are the best solutions that you can find in your kitchen itself.
Tight and synthetic clothes trap heat; therefore, go for a light and breathable fabric like cotton that absorbs heat.
Indians love spicy and heavy meals, but that can worsen the heat. Avoid oily and heavy food as it increases body heat and slows down the digestive process, making you feel exhausted. Prefer fruits like watermelon and cucumber, and salads. Include curd in your diet; it is an amazing source to keep your body cool.
Avoid going out from 12 to 4 pm. The sun’s rays are the harshest and can impact your health.
Views expressed by the author are their own.
