It’s easy to put off home remodeling projects when the problems they address are seasonal. “How to cool off a room” isn’t exactly top of mind in winter. Getting a window tint to block sun doesn’t feel important on gloomy fall or spring days. Then summer hits, and you wish you’d tackled that project sooner. As we head into summer, here are some smart remodeling tips for hot climates.

How to Cool off a Room without A/C

1. Consider a Whole-House Exhaust Fan

In some regions, air conditioning is practically a must for summer. But in generally more temperate areas, you may be able to get away with a whole-house exhaust fan system rather than central air.

Hot air rises. Whole-house exhaust fans take advantage of this fact by drawing cooler air in from outside through open windows and exhausting hotter air up through your house’s attic and roof. As an added benefit, the continual air flow allows for maximum fresh air indoors. It’s a more energy-efficient way to solve the problem of how to cool off a room than AC.

2. Add a Solar Attic Ventilator

Even if a whole-house exhaust fan isn’t the right option for you, a solar attic ventilator may help cut both energy costs and keep your home cool. Unventilated attics are notorious for holding on to heat—unventilated attics can reach temperatures up to 150 or even 170 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in damage to items stored there and raising temps throughout the rest of the house as well. In more damp climates, the high temperatures and lack of air flow can also encourage mold and mildew growth.

A solar attic ventilator provides an energy-efficient way to mitigate these problems. They do need direct sunlight to work, so they may not be an option in gloomier climates. For sunnier regions, however, they’re a great solution. While on the topic of sunnier regions, you can further cool your house from the top down by installing reflective roofing. An aluminum roof coating or similar solution will reflect the sun’s energy rather than allowing your home to absorb it through your top floor. Your comfort indoors and your lower cooling costs add up over time!

3. Install a Window Tint to Block Sun

If the air quality in your area is poor, a whole-house exhaust fan may not be the right choice for you. If that’s the case, you can still transform your windows into house-cooling helpers with solar screens and other coverings to create windows that block heat.

A variety of factors will determine which window sunlight blocker to choose. A custom-fitted, exterior solar sunscreen for windows is often the ideal choice. Externally fitted solar screens block sunlight before it ever hits the glass. This prevents the glass from heating up and transferring that heat to the rest of your house.

If external solar screens aren’t feasible for your build, there are other ways to achieve a sun blocking window. You can cool off a hot room by installing a window tint to block sun. Some options allow for DIY, making this a one-day project with a nearly instant payoff. The cooling effect won’t be as drastic as with an exterior solar sunscreen on your windows, but if you have a number of east- or south-facing windows, you will still feel the difference.


There are a number of ways to reduce both your energy costs and your home temps in hot seasons and climates. Proper insulation and energy-efficient windows help keep rooms cool in summer and warm in winter. Schedule a consultation with us today to learn how we can help!