9 Ways Houses Kept Cool Before AC

In the summertime, most of us go from an air-conditioned office to an air-conditioned car, to an air-conditioned house. Sure, we brave the heat for the brief moments we get out of the car, but our lives are mostly spared from the sweat and stickiness by the cleverness of our own ingenuity—and, of course, the glorious invention of air conditioning.

But what if you didn’t have air conditioning? Would you know how to stay cool? How did previous generations do it?

Sure, it wasn’t always pleasant, but people had their tricks. And believe it or not, they actually worked. In honor of those sky-high summer utility bills, here are nine tried-and-true ways the old timers kept cool before the age of AC. These methods still work today—and most won’t cost you a dime.

1. Awnings

Back in the day, awnings were everywhere—even The White House sported them. These fabric or metal shades mounted above windows serve a simple purpose: block the sun before it hits the glass.

How effective are they? I talk about it in my book The Case For Historic Windows because the stats are pretty incredible.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, window awnings can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows. That’s not just cool—it’s efficient.

2. Porches

A front porch wasn’t just a place to sip lemonade and wave at the neighbors. It was a temperature management tool.

Wraparound porches offered all-day shade on multiple sides of the house, and their raised design allowed air to circulate underneath, helping to cool the floors and lower indoor temps. Plus, porches gave you a shady spot to catch the breeze—no AC required.

Bonus: Studies show that sitting outside under shade can feel up to 15 degrees cooler than being in direct sun.

3. Shade Trees

“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” — Greek Proverb

Turns out, those old men knew what they were doing. Trees provide one of the most effective natural forms of cooling. A large deciduous tree can reduce surrounding air temperatures by as much as 9°F, and when planted strategically, they can lower your home’s interior temperature by up to 20°F.

And the best part? Unlike your AC unit, trees don’t add a penny to your electric bill.

4. Operable Windows

Sure, it’s 95°F outside, but guess what? Your great-grandparents were opening windows anyway—and it worked.

They’d pop the windows open in the evening once the sun went down, letting in the cooler night air. Then they’d close them before the heat of the day set in. This created a passive cooling cycle that, when combined with cross ventilation, made a huge difference.

Pro tip: Proper cross-ventilation (windows on opposite walls) can increase airflow by up to 800% compared to a single open window. Double-hung windows were the champ at this air flow. That’s a serious breeze.

5. Drapes

Drapes weren’t just a fashion statement in Grandma’s house. They were insulation in disguise.

By opening and closing drapes based on the time of day, homeowners controlled how much heat entered the room. Modern thermal curtains can block up to 33% of heat gain, and even lighter materials can offer noticeable temperature reductions in east- and west-facing rooms.

One of my favorite options here are cellular shades because they provide some of the best insulation against both heat and cold while still letting light in the room.

6. Transoms

Above-the-door windows (a.k.a. transoms) weren’t just pretty—they were practical. They let air circulate between rooms even when doors were shut, helping hot air escape and cool air spread more evenly.

Effectiveness?

In older homes with tall ceilings and operable transoms, these little vents could reduce interior temperatures by up to 5–7°F, especially when paired with natural convection currents.

7. Whole House Fans

This was the secret weapon of the South before central air took over.

Installed in the ceiling, whole house fans would suck hot air up and out through the attic while pulling in cooler outside air through the windows. It was like giving your house a fresh set of lungs.

Stats to know:

• Whole house fans can cool a home by 5–10°F in as little as 20 minutes.
• They use 90% less energy than central air conditioners, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

8. Sleeping Porches

When things got too hot to sleep, folks didn’t just toss and turn inside. They moved to the sleeping porch—a screened-in area usually located on the second floor or back of the house.

With windows on three sides and plenty of airflow, these porches took full advantage of nighttime breezes.

Today’s take: Install a ceiling fan and mosquito netting, and you’ve got a 21st-century retreat with 19th-century charm.

9. Fans

Never underestimate a fan.

Before AC, fans were the MVPs of summer. Ceiling fans, box fans, hand fans—you name it. Air movement across your skin speeds up the evaporation of sweat, which is your body’s natural cooling method.

Stats that matter:

• A ceiling fan can make a room feel up to 4°F cooler, and running a box fan in a window can enhance cross-breezes, boosting overall ventilation by as much as 30–50%.
• And here’s the real kicker: while a typical central AC uses around 3,500 watts, a box fan uses only 75 watts. That’s a 46x difference in energy use.

So, what’s the takeaway?

You don’t need to crank the AC to the Arctic Circle setting to stay cool. Our ancestors were pretty clever—they built their homes and routines around the rhythms of the sun, wind, and shade. And with a little strategy, you can too.

Turn off the AC for a day and try a few of these methods. Your wallet (and maybe your conscience) will thank you.