How to STAY COOL Living OFF GRID in the Desert (No A.C.) 🏜️

I detail how we've been staying cool off the grid in the extreme summer heat of the desert! We're currently living off-grid in this remote cabin (no air conditioning or running water) in New Mexico.
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[@ccrbonline1752]

Build a large cover over that house that extends way beyond the perimeter of the house. Set it up as a water catchment system and the cover will also absorb a lot of the heat that's currently directly hitting the house.

[@markpaul7887]

Agreed this would help a great deal.

[@runningonemptyfosure3917]

Right because the sun heats that first as air flows between

[@glenwhitbeck28]

Are there any types of trees You can plant?

[@IntheDeadofDarkness]

@@glenwhitbeck28 wouldn't help, I lived off grin in NM near Penasco, and other than the Carson National forest and some old trees that have stood the test of time (and heat), you'd have to plant some giant tree's for it to help. However, some things do grow rather well, just not very tall. His best bet is to do exactly what he is doing, in addition to the shade roof mentioned above. Fans also help a great deal, especially a ceiling fan. We were throwing around the idea of digging a deep root cellar to store food and keep cool. I wonder if anyone has done that out there. I miss NM every day, what an amazing place (minus the lunatic governor). They really ramped up the fear over the cv1984, which is what made us leave. If they put a sensible governor there, I would totally move back in a heartbeat. Thanks for the video, you got yourself a new subscriber here. Very nostalgic. Good luck out there!

[@t.c.3027]

Hummmmm🤔...how,(if at all)can you cut a dwelling inside one of those foothills, build, or park a tiny house in the rock around a corner, away from direct exposure to the outside element??? "Just a thought"

[@sjfiet]

I've learned a lot while studying Victorian homes. I have noted things they did that helped keep their homes cool in summer. They did the following. 1. Tall ceilings so heat had a place to rise. 2. Large windows for maximum air movement. 3. They used awnings on the outside of the house over the windows to prevent direct sun from entering the rooms and also allowed the air to flow. 4. One style of Victorian home had a central stairwell with a belvedere at the top. This is a raised "room" at the top of the stairs which sits higher than the roof with windows on all sides. It's a tower of sorts. The windows could be opened which would act thermodynamically to draw the hot air out and cooler air in. It took advantage of the nature of hot air to rise. 5.The brick houses also had very thick walls consisting of two or more layers of brick and sometimes stone. These are very well insulated.

[@superjeffstanton]

This deserves more replies

[@h2hcamey]

I’m born and raised in the South, Gulf Of Mexico area. Diffidently, take advantage of Southwesterly/ Southeastern winds in the summertime.

[@user-qq1xg6qn7i]

@suzytuzy Every Victorian home I have seen is painted with light colors to reflect heat/light. Many had early mechanical ceiling fans. Work inside a greenhouse for any length of time and one becomes acutely aware of shade nets, fans, and opening windows to control temperature. Same principles as cooling houses. A geothermal system (buried pipes cool air underground) would help greatly. A small fan on the pipes controls air flow.

[@lamoinette23]

i grew up in a wooden victorian home, a small one. remember that even on the hottest days the inside would be cool. we didn't have fans or aircon just opened some windows for a cross breeze. i think a ceiling fan would be very useful for that cabin in the video.

[@DanMasters]

I had a house a 2 story house built in the 90s and was able to open a window up/down and get a nice airflow that cooled the air nicely. We only used the a/c on the hottest days.

[@sethlangston181]

In dry climates, you can stay cool as long as you're in the shade. In humid climates, the heat makes living disgusting even with shade.

[@kizzy8685]

I lived in fla and youre right there was no relief

[@grayearly3116]

Even inside the house

[@miranduri]

I live in dry climate. Believe me, it’s no fun. The heat follows you everywhere, even the wind is hot.

[@1xm_mx1]

As an architect, I can give a few tips to stay cool in the desert without using electricity. It is called "passive design" or "passive solar design". In a hot climate, you want to keep the sun out of the house as much as possible, and use shading, cross ventilation, and stack ventilation as well as thermal insulation and use of cool colors to reflect the sun's rays. There are multiple ways to do this. 1. Buillding orientation - If there are large outcroppings of rock, a cliff, a hill, or a large tree, you can use it for shading your house from the sun, so you'd need to park your tiny house in the shade of the tree or hill or rock as much as possible for shade during the afternoon. Also, notice the direction of winds, and sun path, and orient your house along the east-west axis (the longest part of the house should sit parallel to the axis). 2. Shading - as crazy as this may sound, you can put a large tarp made of canvas over your house using poles, and keeping a large gap (about 2 feet) between the highest point of the house's roof ridge and the ridge of the tarp. This will be the cheapest way. You can use the tarp in smaller sections over different parts of the house for shade. 3. Build small shading devices using light metal or wood frames, and put camouflage type netting strips (use white color or light tan color, or light olive drab, etc., or use spray paint to paint any light pastel colors of your choice) on the frames to provide shade on your building sides, roof, and any area you would like shading. 4. Colors - Use cool colors for paint on your tiny house - the cheapest option is to use lime-wash if your house is not metal cladded - you can use white or very light pastel colors to reflect the sun away from the house, and there are special thermal reflective paints available as well. You can use cooler colors for your metal roofs and metal siding to do the same. 5. Water - This will require some electricity to pump water. Build a water tower, put a water tank on it, and run a water spray pipe using gravity to drip the water on the roof and also on the sides of the building.

[@dmo7815]

Awnings over the windows block summer sun( high) but let the lower winter sun in .

[@stevenboelke6661]

The tarp and water idea can be combined into one by using a net to support the growth of vines. Plants offer shade and evaporative cooling.

[@user-zx6np1jz8r]

I fixed the Dresser.

[@blakeavila4409]

You can also dig below the frost line and then run piping back and forth underground and then use fans to blow air through those pipes into your house. The earth will cool the air before it gets into the house

[@user-ui7ro9is3u]

One guy brought an ac to the desert the other guy water and this guy brought a car door to roll down the window when it's hot

[@bezoar36]

Lived in Tucson for 25 years; +1 on the swamp cooler idea when dew point is < 55°. But the simplest tip I learned is from scuba diving: water removes heat from your body 25x faster than air. That's why even with a wetsuit in tropical waters it can leave you shivering after a 50-minute dive. Desert translation: sit in the shade and soak your feet in a bucket of tepid water for 20 minutes. Sucks the heat right out of your body.

[@patriciahadley1273]

All my life, until the late '90s, I lived without a/c. I used to sit with my feet in a pan of tepid water. Instant cool.

[@krisg3984]

In the heat of the summer nights my feet roast , if I can even spray them the evaporation cools me down so I can sleep

[@dalevanderzee4086]

good point, also putting your wrists under cool running water will quickly cool you off and this cools the blood flowing back to your heart and to the rest of your body

[@PsychicIsaacs]

Kangaroos in Australia's Outback lick their wrists to cool off.

[@navagatingthroughthebeasts2908]

Love it

[@rhondalyn100]

TO NATE'S MOM: You must be very proud of your son...he is intelligent, resourceful and seems to have a kind heart. You and his dad did a great job of raising a fine young man. 🙂

[@livableincome]

The reason I started watching these quite a while back is because he reminds me, in look and attitude, of my own dear son. Nate's mom must indeed be proud. He is indeed kind, intelligent, resourceful and has a wholesome channel. Best wishes to Nate and Shannon always.

[@omokaroojiire]

He is a very handsome young man too!!! They did a great job with him, but I commend him for running with the training he got from his folks!!!

[@ME-kr7sm]

@@omokaroojiire If you have a thing for the Autistic look...go for it-Living in a horse trailer isnt for everyone

[@giovannicorraliza4393]

being glad is good, avoid pride

[@raymonddriggers]

Sounds like some one here is a psycho!watch out nate run if you see this wackco anywhere near shannon

[@jennyofalltrades3118]

I have a tip for when you use the ice packs. Keep them right on your corotid and femeral arteries, the packs will cool the blood in the arteries and then the arteries will deliver that cooled blood all over your body. It's how we help keep our horses cool after a workout in the heat.

[@dennisshoemaker2789]

I'm a New Mexico desert rat who lived in hot and humid Japan for 20+ Years. I'm in NM now and I love the dry heat of the desert. You will get used to it. I don't know if you have thought about it but having a half or completely underground basement is great in the desert. There are many geothermal ideas and things you can do to stay warm and cool. Best of luck to you!

[@retard_activated]

I'm in NM too and an off-gridder, I may need to ask you for more tips! 😁 This past summer has been absolutely BRUTAL!

[@johnalarcon6375]

I'm with you bro I love the heat, the hotter the better, infact I'm the kind that would lay out at furnace creek in the middle of July/August and love it ! And yes my wife thinks I'm crazy!

[@retard_activated]

@@johnalarcon6375 You are crazy! Haha just kidding! You sound like my dad - I call him Iguana Man because no amount of heat is uncomfortable for him.... Me? I start wilting at anything above 70° 😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@embededfabrication4482]

Just dig a big pit with berms on the sides to hang out in during the summer.

[@hugoh.9694]

I would totally build a geothermal air well. I would seek to circulate the interior air down deep into the ground to cool/warm it (depending on season) and use a solar powered DC fan to do it.

[@tedbus7708]

Covering windows from the Outside during the direct sun part of day is more proactive than curtains on inside. Hanging a wet blanket in the open window or door creates natural air conditioning..also, covering the uncovered porch will keep the rest of house cool.

[@gardengate1339]

The wet blanket is a great idea!

[@dorriethomas6930]

I became fed up with the summer sun shining through the livingroom and dining windows each day. Not wanting to huddle in a cave, hung white nylon lace curtains outside those windows. Immediately dropped the glare and temp while allowing me to still enjoy the view. From the backyard it looks very Victorian romantic. 5 years on... the sun hasn't destroyed them.

[@russcarroll1648]

I have used wet towels

[@krisg3984]

👍. Good ideas !

[@redgatecrt]

Use bamboo blinds and keep them off the windows to allow air to circulate. Forget about internal window coverings all together

[@hellzmyst]

Cover the open windows with a thin white cloth (flat sheets). Then, spray with water and lemon. When the wind blows throw, it gets cooled. Survived a summer in Tucson without electric this way.

[@NWforager]

why lemon tho ?

[@hellzmyst]

@@NWforager just scent.

[@paulk9985]

@@hellzmyst Doesn't the wind simply dry the sheets very quickly?

[@paulk9985]

@A R But CA has no water.

[@ChristianSoldier71]

ATTENTION!!! I am here to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only true savior for the world. If you deny Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus loves you and He died for your sins and on the third day, He arose from the grave. Jesus Christ is alive!! REPENT and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and you will be saved. MARK 1:15 For the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.

[@jamesmatheson5115]

A century and a half ago in the Australian desert, houses use to use vines growing over the house to help cool it, you can do the same uses a light frame and 90% blockout shade clothe.

[@airfoil]

You should consider running an evaporative cooler to cool things off, since you're in the desert and high humidity isn't an issue. Assuming you can spare the water of course! Ideally, use a brushless DC fan motor and a brushless DC pump running off their own solar PCU and panels , a 400 watt system should be ideal for this. If water is scarce, you could place your solar panels onto a shed like structure and collect additional rainwater from this roof. Plant fast growing trees along the south and west to minimize solar gain and provide passive cooling, hook up your gray water to water these trees. A strategically placed set of 'sails' will also provide cooling by shielding the building from the sun. Cheers!

[@jessstone7486]

Love your thinking :) Its what I would do, as well.

[@noah786]

Consider getting an evaporative cooler, aka swamp cooler They don’t really work in humid environments but in dry climates they’re great. Don’t take much power and will add some moisture to the air.

[@neoncatfish4038]

You can take and make something similar to one of the panels on a swamp cooler. The size of one of the window that the breeze comes through. With a small water tank and small water pump recirculate the water to the top, to drip down the panel. The evaporation for one panel would be way less than the swamp cooler. But then swamp coolers will freeze you out early in the mornings!

[@crabbingclammingboatcampin4962]

Spray water bottles. Put several in the fridge and spray cold water in your face, every so often. I was raised in the west Texas desert, 65 years ago. That was our air conditioning.

[@becalmlivelifetothefullest6752]

I had one in a rental home worked well. Cheap to maintain they have portable units

[@MegaNuclearDisaster]

They work wonders in deserts. I second this.

[@jocarson5310]

@@becalmlivelifetothefullest6752 We had a portable window swamp cooler in a mobile we rented outside of Shepherd AFB Texas during the heat wave of 1980. It helped us keep our sanity when the temps were over 110° every single day. It didn’t keep the whole place cool but it kept the living room bearable.

[@johnd4348]

I would put up a canopy , or extra roof over the cabin. Shade is important when living in the desert. It can be 20 degrees cooler under shade.

[@robertcarmosino6563]

Yes , I live in the Fla. Keys and ran long tarps joined together in the backyard 9'x20' between house and property wall . Made a BIG difference, not only in the yard but in the house too .

[@henryottis295]

Definitely a good idea.

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

Here, they would plante some wine grapes. They would grow up to the top, provide shade and grapes.

[@ChristianSoldier71]

ATTENTION!!! I am here to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only true savior for the world. If you deny Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus loves you and He died for your sins and on the third day, He arose from the grave. Jesus Christ is alive!! REPENT and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and you will be saved. MARK 1:15 For the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.

[@Joseph-pd5hh]

@@robertcarmosino6563 Go Conchs! I lived on Big Pine as a teen. Was a junior at KWHS Still have family down there AZ now

[@Tupunaforever]

I lived in Darwin Australia, in a caravan with a big roof over the top. Kept the van cool. In Australia you will see lots of homes with a secondary roof over the top of there dwelling to keep the sun out. They also open there windows at night to cool the indoor ambient temperature, then in the morning close the house up completely, doors windows curtains, this keeps the house cool for most of the day, then they open the house in the afternoons when the house heats up....cheers

[@mkshffr4936]

Another trick to consider when designing your cabin is to not only have high windows to allow hot air to exit but also put passive vents in the floors to allow convection to pull cool air in from under the house.

[@tallyhorizzla3330]

Transom windows.

[@kenhoyer8601]

Took the words out of my mouth

[@JouniKyyronen-nv1ep]

1800 houses has weird tunnel underground is it ventilation

[@frostyfrances4700]

@@JouniKyyronen-nv1ep - Yes.

[@sheilacollins9384]

This was my solution in a hot upper flat while 8 mos pregnant: shower in a bathing suit, getting my long hair completely wet. Remained in wet suit as I did household tasks. Kept a fan on too, but with soaked skin and hair was generally good. I called it my "personal swamp cooler".

[@erinnelson434]

I had solutions when I had no a/c also. I would dampen some towels and put them in the refrigerator and freezer. They only take minutes to cool completely or even freeze. Then I'd wear one of them around my neck or on my back like a cape & keep the fans on while I work. I call it "ghetto air conditioning". And when the one I used is no longer cool, swap it for a cold one in the cooler, and it can get cool for its next turn.

[@hdskl2150]

Awesome!

[@erinnelson434]

@@departmentofredundancydept4121 Ooh. Good idea! I wonder if mint oil would work too. (& smell better)

[@WendyBeall]

As a longtime frugal resident of Tucson, I've found that having a fan blowing directly on me where I'm sitting or working keeps me comfortable, but this is assuming you have enough solar to run a fan. Not a rotating fan, but one pointed right at you, like a Vornado. This kind of fan also works like a ceiling fan if you point it straight up in the middle of a room (or you can angle toward a wall to circulate the air--check the manual for ideas), and the circulating air in the room makes a big difference in the comfort of a warm room. The other tip is to wear a "sun shirt" type of shirt that you wet and wring out. It will dry in about 30 minutes but it will cool you down immediately. The thicker parts--cuffs and collar and front button placket--will stay damp for a while and you'll be amazed with how much more comfortable you stay. Once it dries, re-wet and cool down again. If you're in a dry heat, as you are most of the time, getting wet and allowing yourself to drip dry in a fan might even leave you feeling a little too cool!

[@livableincome]

Ceiling fans are really great for both cold and hot weather. In cold it brings the warmth away from the ceiling and closer to you. In the hot weather it brings heat down and out your door. As well as fanning you in the process. Also if you like to sit outside, put a soaker hose along the roof edges of your porch. This might not be useful where water is at a premium, but if you have running water, a steady little mist coming down on you in 100 degree heat feels lovely. First encountered this at a restaurant in Lodi California during an extreme heat wave. Worked wonders.

[@simonem.3092]

Wet shirts work wonders. Or just wet a towel and lay it over you.

[@tomsitzman3952]

I have a small vornado blowing on me as I type.

[@DadMoves]

Wendy, you truly speak well from your experience with the most simple and effective ideas. 👍

[@ChristianSoldier71]

ATTENTION!!! I am here to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only true savior for the world. If you deny Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus loves you and He died for your sins and on the third day, He arose from the grave. Jesus Christ is alive!! REPENT and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and you will be saved. MARK 1:15 For the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.

[@beglitchery]

100% adapting. I have an old heating system in my new house that couldn’t get just a few rooms above 60 degrees in the worst of winter, after living in houses with central heating for a few decades, 74 degrees. I was in three layers of shirts, sweaters, pants, shawls, hats etc. Now just 6 months later 60 degrees is tshirt temps and turn off the heat! 😂

[@mega-hb4re]

You can also put the bed sheets in the freezer and take them out when you go to bed.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

We lived in our basement for around 7 days following the 2012 derecho, which knocked out our electricity. It was in the low to mid 90's with high humidity, outside, but much cooler below ground. We frankly couldn't have done it without a basement. If it is possible for you to dig an underground enclosure, it would be a godsend to you in the extreme heat.

[@magesalmanac6424]

Hi Rosewood, I want to try building a basement too but I’m worried about flooding. If it’s off grid I do t know if I could pump water out of monsoon rains flood it?

[@Cristofre]

@@magesalmanac6424 Find out the level of the water table where you are. coastal areas can have a water table just feet below the surface, higher elevation areas have little problem with water in the basement. make sure the gutter system on the house directs water away from the foundation.

[@jkcarroll]

@Rosewood Steel I second the motion to build a basement or even a root cellar. If you make sure you have good ventilation you might even arrange to sleep in it some nights just to cut back on your air-conditioning bills. @Mage's Almanac If you do try to build a basement or other below-ground structure, check into having French drains installed around the surface of the structure. These are designed to move water away from a foundation and minimizes the risk of flooding.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

@@Cristofre Agreed! The gutter system is extremely important. And, unfortunately, not everyone can have a basement. There are options regarding the pumps, though. If only a little water penetration is a possibility, there are battery operated sump pumps and (marine) bilge pumps. I had success using a bilge pump in my areaway (exterior basement stairs), before fixing a problem gutter. Another solution would be to have an emergency generator on hand to energize sump pump(s) during a flooding situation. Of course, every situation and corresponding solution is unique to your particular area.

[@diannevaldez8670]

@A R excellent recommendations!

[@richardprotsman488]

I have seen a lot of great ideas on here. I haven’t seen one that we use when I was a kid. Get some cardboard from your local grocery store. Get some cheap aluminum foil from the dollar tree. Cut the cardboard to fit your window then spray glue the aluminum foil to the cardboard. It will reflect the light to reduce the temperature in the house

[@littleboots9800]

Its also the exact same thing we put behind radiators to reflect heat back into the room. Same thing using the same principle used for totally different purposes!!

[@fergarising1972]

foam board is cheap and it has the reflective side and the thick stuff insulates really well. I have all my upstairs windows blacked out with it and my power bill went down 50 percent.

[@rebelgirl7289]

@@fergarising1972 I use black out curtains and foam boards from $Tree as well. I could feel the heat still until I put my foam boards up. You are correct. They work great!

[@fergarising1972]

@@rebelgirl7289 you can buy huge sheets of it at lowes or home depot for like a few bucks and they take care of several typically sized windows.

[@ChristianSoldier71]

ATTENTION!!! I am here to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only true savior for the world. If you deny Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus loves you and He died for your sins and on the third day, He arose from the grave. Jesus Christ is alive!! REPENT and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and you will be saved. MARK 1:15 For the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.

[@alexwolfe9895]

Aside from no humidity, the dearth of carnivorous bugs is a plus. I live in an old homesteader cabin on a Mesa near you so, when you hit a 100, I hit 90, being about 800ft. Higher. My log cabin has optimal solar positioning, so I get no sun from south in summer and full sun in winter. Here’s my advice for you; window quilts, check ‘‘em out. Completely seals the window but lets light in, I use them on any sunny window in summer, and all windows winter nights. I open all doors and windows at night, ceiling fans on low, house is around 65 in the a.m., then I close everything up, put fans on high, and use a small portable swamp cooler filled with ice water for spot cooling. The house stays 10-12 degrees cooler than the outside temp. When the air outside gets cooler than the air inside in the evening, I open up the house and cool it down. The hottest it has ever gotten inside is about 81. Another tip; SIESTA! Stay up later, wake up earlier and take a long rest when it’s hot( sorry this won’t work if you are still on the hamster wheel) two sleep cycles are actually the rule, not the exception for most of the world, historically as well. The house cover is a great idea, I do everything with water catchment, the more the better, I plan to build my green house out of rock, and 2 ft. Below ground, passive solar heating of water tanks on dirt beamed, north wall, west-east ventilation in the summer with north half shaded by adjustable rolling shade cloth, and one counter intuitive feature;make your north wall slightly higher than your south wall so the roof pitch allows the sun to melt the snow in the winter and optimizes your water catchment, plus the hot air in summer will rise to the back where cross vent will push it out, and cooler air will stay lower. Cheers!

[@cherylcarr5690]

When I lived in Australia and had 40 degree Celsius days, we would hang woollen blankets over the outside of the windows. The woollen blankets would stop the heat hitting the glass and radiating through.

[@JamesVenturaCa]

I'm out in the Mojave desert living off grid and I converted a small swamp cooler over to DC power. Both the fan and water pump are now DC... so I run it off my solar and battery bank setup. It's made such a huge difference in my life.

[@margaretburnham5683]

I live in the Mohave desert as well. Bullhead City Arizona. It gets in the mid to high 120’s here. Am dreading the rolling brown outs that are coming soon all over…not just in our country. There are going to be a lot of people dropping

[@JamesVenturaCa]

@@margaretburnham5683 get some solar panels, a charge controller and some 12 volt batteries. Power outages on the grid won't affect me at home

[@KPHVAC]

You guys need exterior roller shades or shutters to block direct sunlight from hitting the windows. Keeping the sun off the windows would be the biggest improvement or building a big covered porch around the entire perimeter of the house.

[@OhHapppyDaay]

When I was a child, we lived in New England. No central A/C. In the Summer, up on the third floor of a tenement building, if a breeze wafted through the windows we were lucky. But, in order to fall asleep and try to smear off some of the humidity, Mom had us soak a wash rag, ring it out and wipe ourselves down with it. I would re-soak mine and lay it across my belly. Naturally about an hour later I'd be awakened by the heat and do it all over again.

[@Emme333]

For anyone in that situation try rung out bandanas or handkerchiefs on the forehead, back of neck, wrists, elbows, knees ankles and wrap lightly around bottom of feet. If you keep a spray bottle of water In the fridge when it gets hot or your wraps start to warm up just spray them and your self down with the spray bottle.

[@phillipErskine-jk1jt]

In your building always have a window at the top to release the heat. Having a shelter that actually covers your living space or camper. Spray foam is wonderful stuff. Have a great day.

[@rustyfarkel]

Just a couple suggestions: Get rid of the inside white cotton curtains on all the windows for the summer days and put in wood blinds or insulated curtains that blackout the sun. Put shade cloth roll up blinds outside each window to keep the sun out or use black film to keep the windows dark and the sun from penetrating inside. Build and place shade cloths awnings on each window that roll in and out or install or make a deck enclosed with shade cloth roof to keep the sun from directly coming into the windows. Maybe a steel roof on the cabana might work because it appears to snow in your area.

[@trailrunner925]

Black absorbs heat though. Maybe a reflective material or a light colored insulated material. I'd say use tinfoil, but then it would look like a meth lab. Interestingly enough, I have one of those silver insulated car windshield shades, and while idling in line, on a 100 degree day, I took it and put it up against the driver side window..... immediate relief from the heat coming thru the windows.

[@sdrc92126]

I got some cheap ebay mylar space blankets for the windows. I'm sure it looks ghetto, but no one is going to see. Or if they do, they will think to themselves, Hey! That's a cool space house. 😃

[@Automedon2]

That's true. The New Orleans houses he spoke of all had wooden shutters.

[@Emme333]

If you can't afford all that.😢 I took poster board $1.25 (white) and 2 strips of tape. I taped it to the windows on the sides leaving the top and bottom open so I won't get condensation. The white poard reflexs the heat but still allows some light. Then I bought cheap moving boxes (card board is a gd insulation) and when it gets to hot just close your window and set the board on/in the ledge. Instant relief.

[@juliadunn8827]

I grew up in NewMexico. Before air condition. In the car we had 4/40 cooling. Four windows down. Drive 40 mph. We did have a swamp cooler which was evaporated air. There were big pads soaked in water and a fan blew through it forcing the cooler air into the house. We also grew trees near the houses to seriously provide shade and add moisture to the air. People went outside and sat in slatted garden chairs that let the air move around your body. Popsicles were great way to hydrate and drop your core temperature. Then there was my favorite way to climb one of those trees and read books. Or on a quilt beneath the tree. Also we would stop at a gas station on long trips. Between Alamogordo to Truth or Consequences to see our grandparents and get one of those little bottles of Coke in a chest dispenser where the bottles hung by the top lip on a rack. Just cracking open an impossibly old bottle of Coke was so refreshing. Then grandmother had ice cold Dr Pepper waiting for us in T orC. She did her cooking early in the morning to beat the heat. And the doors with screens were opened for a breeze to come through. I’d look into a swamp cooler. The fan could be solar. The water was never that much and you didn’t run it all the time. Timeline. 1955 To 1975.

[@Talendale]

I just moved to Alamogordo less than a year ago, it's been 105+ some days, but those two old big trees in front of our house are a shady blessing!

[@juliadunn8827]

@@Talendale that was my family’s plan. Don’t know if they are still there, but my Grandpa Dunn and Uncle Aubrey planted tons of pecan trees on Pecan Drive. Back in 1940s and 1950s

[@Talendale]

@@juliadunn8827 A lot of them have survived- we actually have a pecan tree on one side of the house here that's seen better days but is still growing nicely, and the one of the ones up front is a mulberry that's clearly been here for a long time. Some suffer because there's homes that have ended up abandoned to neglect, but our property isn't one of em.

[@dannykim6218]

A quilt under the tree ? You ain't afraid of snakes ?

[@juliadunn8827]

@@dannykim6218 no snakes in the yard. No food for snakes and it was cool in the shade.

[@dr.froghopper6711]

I was born in Albuquerque. Off and on throughout my childhood, my father moved us all over the country. But New Mexico has always been my home zone.

[@Talendale]

Definitely suggest reflective window covers, although blackouts will help too. Every bit less sunlight hitting your home is that much less heat inside. And yes, that includes a shade cover over your house too- the same kind that people use to protect a garden works for a cabin or tiny house too, especially meshes that shade but don't block airflow.

[@dorcasowens1210]

I live in Texas. It has been 106 degrees mid day for several days. I made window coverings out of reflectix. They have it at Home Depot in rolls 48" wide and 50ft long. I cut it so it fits snug in the window frame and covered them with nice fabric. It really makes a huge difference. In my living area I checked the temperature mid day without the covers. It was 89 degrees. With the window covers it was 75 degrees. Well worth the money. I do have A/C but it doesn't cycle on as much. Thankful!

[@jodyel]

See you posted one year ago. Been horrible in Texas in Summer 2023. I had to put the same type reflective insulation (bought off Amazon in the big rolls too) on my bedroom window since it takes the worst of the summer sun. Has helped a lot. I have also heard ceramic tint works wonders too.

[@Rocketman88002]

Adobe is THE material for a house in desert climates. I know of some houses that are well over hundred years old and I helped build adobe houses. Even made adobes the old fashioned way......by hand. My friends seldom used their AC or furnace. In fact many houses had no furnace at all but a wood stove or a space heater. A shared wall building had an airspace of about six inches between two walls twelve inches thick. It's lots of work building an adobe house but you can build one a little at a time. Start with say a bedroom so you'll be able to enjoy a good night's sleep right away. Add a bathroom next then another bedroom or two, next your living room complete with a fireplace. Then another bathroom and then your kitchen and dining room area. We built most houses with similar layouts the rule being the isolation of the bedrooms and bathrooms from the highest activity areas. You can build as simply as you want. We framed our roofs but if you can find logs you can make them the old fashioned way. Adobes are the only way to go for best comfort year around.

[@lazyassian]

Electrolytes; calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium. Super important in a dry state. You can drink a ton of water but if you don't have these, you'll still feel dehydrated. I live in Colorado and this makes a big difference. And as it gets hotter, you may want to put up reflectix strategically when the sun is hitting west of east. Thanks for the great video!

[@cheeseburger9232]

What's a good way to get all of these ?types of foods vitamins? And only in the summer?

[@skygirlview8236]

@@cheeseburger9232 I buy Eidon ionic liquid minerals from Sprouts Market, add to both mine and my dogs water.

[@user-ii4zf5iq3t]

I lived in Boulder. Between the altitude and the dryness we developed nose bleeds. I bought a 5 gallon humidifier and it made a huge difference. It was so dry up there the humidity was 19% in the Rain.

[@user-ii4zf5iq3t]

@@skygirlview8236 Dropper or the big bottle?

[@IntheDeadofDarkness]

And Omega 3's

[@badbenito]

I am fascinated with the Yakhchāl, a desert ice house, and the Barajeel, wind-catching towers. I'd like to see those techniques used in modern desert construction.

[@jacquesdutron9954]

Kudos to you guys for sticking together while experimenting.

[@jim.h]

Remember, if it's 90 outside and 80 inside, DO NOT open the doors and windows. It's simple thermodynamics, heat goes to cold, and eventually it will be 90 inside. The breeze you feel cooling you off is the hot air rushing in to try to equalize things.

[@dawnwokson8202]

But only if you have ac, otherwise you will die from the heat. As soon as it gets to 75f my windows are open and covered. That breeze helps keep it cool fool. Do not follow this guy's advice if you want you and yours to live. I live in Arizona,so I know better

[@aishaburhaniyya7532]

Absolutely! I live in Tasmania it gets very hot in summer if I left windows open on a 35C day the place would cook! Open windows at night and very early in the morning before sunrise. You need lots more shade EVERYWHERE

[@anitablades6033]

I try to never break the seal on my place, it stays much cooler.

[@tomnguyen9931]

@@dawnwokson8202 You are incorrect on that one. If it 100 degree outside it would be at least 110 to 120 inside. Yes, opening the windows and let the breeze come in it would lower it down. I know, because I lived in the Mojave Desert. But, unlike like him I have a massive solar arrays and batteries bank. I can't cool the outside but I'm real cool inside with REAL A.C fridge and light. I have everything a person have living on the grid without the bills.

[@tomnguyen9931]

Very true. 100 degree air is 100 degree air. He may notice it cooler because the inside is 110-120 degree.

[@sgw3612]

A couple more things I've learned: Re: cross breeze... it helps a LOT if windows/doors can be opened on adjacent sides of the house. i.e. North/South openings are okay, North/East is better airflow (surprisingly), and 3 or more sides with openings is amazeballs. Open the doors/windows in the cool of the night and morning to get everything inside as chill as possible, then close everything up while it's still 65ish if possible. The house sometimes holds cooler temp that way farther into the afternoon. If the wind allows it, hang soft strips off the eaves on the sunny sides of the house. (Fake vines hung a few inches apart, strips of material a few inches apart, etc.) It mimics leafy tree & provides intermittent shade to the house. Any ways you can create a shade barrier between sun and the house roof/siding will keep the house cooler. Surprisingly, even shading the ground around the house (like suspending a tarp a few inches above the ground so the air can blow under) will reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the land around the house, keeping the whole area cooler. Could also freeze 2 plastic water jugs & alternate daily between them to add icy air to distribute via a 5 watt fan in the warm afternoons/evenings before it cools off outside. Summertime. Woot.

[@sdrc92126]

Cross breeze not so good when it's 115F.

[@sandyworkman3025]

I'm giving you a like because you said amazeballs.

[@capoman1]

Love how these videos give you THE MOST BASIC and obvious advice, open windows, catch a breeze, close the shades... And also that NONE OF US watching are off grid or living in tiny homes.

[@DadMoves]

I own a van permanently parked on my land in the Mojave Desert. I love all of these ways people have actually stayed cool without using large power draws. I use 20-40 watt fan inside the van or sit outside in shade if there is any breeze. Also, simply running water over your head and letting it run over your body uses only several ounces of water and allows air to cool body temps. If you have enough solar to run a freezer, cold gel packs are AMAZING!

[@Emme333]

I know folks used to heat large rocks or bricks, wrap them and put them under the covers to keep warm. So it makes sense to make cool packs for bed.

[@JeremiahLOsborne]

This is some awesome advice. People don't realize just how much control they have over there house temperature just by utilizing the windows they have already installed. Cross breeze is something that many people forget about once they install the air conditioning. I live in the city, and at night when it's 50°, I still hear people's air conditionings running. I have no idea how they would survive one day in the desert. Excellent tips! Especially the popsicles.

[@gregpeterman1102]

Growing up in the 50s, early 60s many rural homes did not even have refrigerators, (ice box replenished by the ice man who came from town) no window air conditioners, during the summer months we spent many hours in a pool, lake, or pond. When at the house we sat directly in front of the fan in the window, and that was all anybody could ask for. We were perfectly acclimated, happy, and content.

[@presidentjoethudbrandon7074]

I grew up in a desert very much like the one you're in. I liked making a window screen for the outside of the window out of sun screen material and a wood frame. It cuts down on the amount of sun that actually hits the glass while still letting in air.

[@MrJayrock620]

You could always use retractable canvas window awnings too. That way they block the sunlight on hot days, but can also retract them and capture some heat on the colder days.

[@humgap]

I have heard great things about white roofs and window shades/awnings for passive cooling. Instead of absorbing the solar energy the white roof will reflect it instead. This helps keep everything inside the house cooler and also the area outside the house cooler too!

[@lumbrados]

If you don't care about the Aesthetics and look of the roof than yeah they work wonders but they're not that pretty it's basically really thick paint that reflects the sun rays.

[@humgap]

@@lumbrados I think white metal roofs look really slick.

[@robertgregory8964]

In southern Australia my roof has 1.2m eaves to let winter sun in the windows and warm the brick walls while all being completely shaded from the higher summer sun.

[@inomad1313]

@@robertgregory8964 I agree. Having a proper sized eave over the windows or even all the way around a house will help tremendously with passive heating and cooling.

[@Praesidio]

White surfaces reflect light too well. No joke I was a canvasser for a bit and when I went up to this house with white walls and white floor (mind you I live in a 120 summer desert area) I almost got cooked alive just being there for 2 minutes.

[@TinyLiving]

For those thin, older windows, a couple of layers of clear bubble wrap truly helps with keeping the heat out while letting the light still come thru. The heat is insulated by the multiple air pockets between layers. I put 2 layers on my etched glass, steel framed (gorgeous but thermally worthless) french doors on my tiny house in Florida and boy, did it make a difference! And its like frosted glass so nobody can 'see" in but I still get my daylight. Thanks for the great video!

[@sgw3612]

Love this bubble wrap idea. Does the flat or the bubble side go against the glass? (Or maybe both the bubble sides are sandwiched inside the 2 smooth layers?)

[@zebeart8808]

That bubble wrap really works

[@zebeart8808]

@@sgw3612 There are videos explaining how to use the bubble wrap. Mist window, then put flat side against window.

[@TinyLiving]

@@sgw3612 I put the bubbles toward the window so that it creates the 1st entrapment layer of air even between the bubbles. But in reality it doesnt really matter that much if you're using at least 2 layers. I also used clear package tape to seal the edges of the 2 layers of wrap together, literally trapping an envelope of air between the layers. Then tape all around the window too or wedge it in with a frame of trim molding to make it removable like storm windows up north. I used large bubbles (3/4") for the most thickness of air. I've seen people in camper vans use the mini bubbles (3/16") for their winows in cold weather to minimize condensation. They put the smooth side against the window so it sticks.. In Florida, we dont have cold weather condensation! Unless the AC is blowing frosty cold. LOL.

[@sgw3612]

@@TinyLiving lol! Thank you for this info. 👍🏻 Appreciate the detailed reply. I'm going to do this.

[@americanadreaming]

We put solar screens on our house down on the Gulf Coast. There is a noticeable difference when we have them on. They also offer some privacy and were super cheap.

[@whatnow121]

Thank you for sharing your setup. Im checking out property around chloride AZ and yes off grid and hot can be a deal breaker. So thank you again

[@tiffanym4202]

You need shade. I'm using Coolaroo solar shades on the hot side of the house. You block the heat from ever touching the glass but still can see out. Planted some trees for shade (using grey water) but those take time to grow. Lots of good suggestions in the comments.

[@IntheDeadofDarkness]

Grass? Whoa. You had grass? Now that is a luxury item in the desert of NM.

[@tracycrider7778]

@@IntheDeadofDarkness said glass not grass lol

[@LivingInAVan]

If you can erect a patio/garage roof over your house/cabin to provide shade over the entire structure, your house will become MUCH, MUCH, cooler. Be sure to leave airflow between the secondary carport roof and your house roof. If you build the secondary roofing out of solar panels, you can generate enough electricity to run an air conditioner.

[@artemisiagentileschi2400]

how much airflow room? 1 foot, 2 feet?

[@evanfurn920]

Building it out of solar panels not such a good idea but building it and putting solar panels on it is a great idea. Leave as much room for air as possible while still keeping good shade coverage. Usually 2 or 3 feet.

[@froggymountain]

Evaporative Cooler: we had one when we lived in Southern AZ. 105-110F outside. 74-78 F inside. Aliminium foil on large wiindows. Paint things white - 80+% reflective.

[@jayc222]

I grew up doing the window routine (curtains and opening/closing windows) to save on the electrical bill and still do it just out of habit. Cold bath/shower actually cools you off for a couple hours afterward. It’s crazy how it just saps the heat right out of your body

[@LetGoAnLive]

I live fulltime in a 35ft Class A and I invested in a portable swamp cooler. I love boondocking in the Arizona desert in the winter but it can still be really warm at times. The draw back to the swamp cooler is the water consumption. But like you said the hottest part of the day is between 3-6 so I just run it in the late afternoons as needed. I have 500 watts of solar and 200 amps of lithium batteries. Work great!

[@juanmacias5922]

I just suggested making his own AC lol I just watched a design by desertsun02 on you-tube, he makes a close loop with a water pump, and radiator, I believe it would be more efficient in water consumption!

[@ejcastro9518]

You might consider going to Harbour Freight and purchasing shade tarps to install over your front arbor to provide shade to your windows. Also, the side of your back porch looks to be set up for a tarp as well. Love all of your tips and suggestions. I haven't used my AC in at least 7 years, and last Friday it was 104°F (40°C) w high 90°s until today. I use many of your tips, but I also have electricity so I can run fans. I have purchased a couple of fans that can run on tool batteries or USB-C recharge in case of rolling black outs. Plus my Jackery batteries stay charged for the same reason. Taking advantage of the delta breezes helps keep the power bills lower. Sleeping in a hammock during the toasty season really makes a difference as well

[@SS-bz4ze]

Yeah keep the tarp over the outside of the work window that you can control the heat from coming in even better without spending alot... My dollar store has small tarps that could handle that size easily.

[@SVMSICE]

Yeah that hit me the instant I saw that not being utilized.

[@cmiller6352]

7 years without being used? RIP to the seals in your air conditioning condenser.

[@artemisiagentileschi2400]

what are shade tarps? link?

[@SVMSICE]

@@artemisiagentileschi2400 what are shade tarps? Come on really? Links? Google it, you really can’t figure it out?🤦🏻‍♂️ Come on you don’t need to be spoon fed, take a little initiative!!!

[@edwardhanson3664]

I did something similar in the Mojave Desert in 1980-1990. We were SW of Victorville. We had a 1,000 water tank, 2 solar panels, a wind generator, a battery bank, and a backup generator.

[@aaronvallejo8220]

I have been renovating our family home in Douglas Arizona, not far from you. I have found that high insulation is key along with restoring the double hung windows. I keep them open all night and close them at 5am. It stays cool until about 2pm. A project I was thinking about is digging a long and deep ventilation tunnel from the backyard to the living room...harnessing the cool geothermal soil temperature. Thanks for sharing your video and off grid adventure!

[@serenityjewel]

My hat is off to you and Shannon. I grew up in southern Mississippi, not to far from New Orleans, without AC, and the summers sucked. To this day, I HATE the summer and I hate heat. It's nice to see y'all making things work for you.

[@tanyaraven9492]

I lived for a couple of years in Louisiana. Much more brutal heat there because of the humidity. Desert summers, I grew up in NM, so much more comfortable.

[@inomad1313]

Tall double hung windows are great for passive cooling. Having the ability to open the lower half of the windows on one side of a house and the upper half of the windows on the other side of the house will create natural air movement. The hotter air flows out the upper window and the cooler air fills the void from the lower window. This works even without any breeze from outside.

[@IMUSTHCOOSEANEWNAMEB]

Something we do in the EU is providing shade to our windows from the outside, it being from an outdoor curtain or just the windows shutter, it's much more effective than indoor curtains to prevent heat from entering your home.

[@spacecoyote6646]

These are all great ideas. And they all remind me of why I live On Grid

[@RippSnortin]

You should get a stock tank to cool off in. Also an outdoor sleeping area.

[@jayski9410]

I think the biggest advantage of the "tiny house" is that it can be re-positioned throughout the year. You can face it away from the sun during the summer yet towards the sun during the winter when you need the extra warmth. I've seen some custom cabins that can do that but I'm sure they were much pricier than a tiny house.

[@Bewefau]

a cabin you can move? I'd like to see that give me links :o

[@Santor-]

The biggest downside to a tiny house, is coming home one day and find it stolen. Thats when you realize you never had a house, you had a trailer.

[@flingonber]

I lived off-grid in Southern California for years and I second all of these. The one thing I would add is that if you can manage stone flooring when you're building, you will definitely appreciate it when it gets up above 100 degrees. My floor was stone tiles and I used to lay down and press my face against the floor to cool off when it got REALLY hot (115 degrees was not uncommon in my area). The biggest thing is opening and closing blinds/windows/doors at specific times like you mentioned, though!

[@unclealex3383]

Hey. In Australia we build a veranda the whole way round the house. It keeps the sun off the windows and shades all the walls.

[@KWMc1952]

Good tips! I get bad headaches when I'm in excessive heat/humidity/sun (I live in Texas so it's unavoidable and I'm talking about severe heat induced migraines). I take about 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. Celtic or Himalayan sea salt with a cup of cold water when I feel a headache coming on, then lay down and rest. My headache usually goes away in about 30 minutes. Drinking just water never helps. Sometimes I even drink diluted pickle juice. Weird, I know, but it works for me. It stopped leg cramps, too. I learned to do outside work in the early morning and late afternoon and stay out of the heat in the middle of the day.

[@IntheDeadofDarkness]

Have you tried upping your Omega 3's? Try it. You will absorb more minerals and less will be lost when drinking water. Just make sure you get essential minerals and vitamins so that the Omega 3's can help do their job. You skin will also thank you. Hope this helps, helped us in the desert of NM.

[@yelenaromaso4569]

Your lymphatic systems is conjested, period. Your toxic. U have too much lymphatic fluid in your stomach and it's pressing against your nerves. Pay attention to lymph nodes swelling and water retention. If u don't detoxify, u will develop IBD. Lymphatic system pulls out toxins. Eat lots of acidic foods and spicy foods. But only eat as much as your body allows. Do lots of exercise. Do not drive alot unless it makes u feel better. Do not smoke or drink. Eat fatty food. Last but not least alternate from hot to cold. Externally and internally. One more important factor. Go biking everyday hard, against the wind(really really helps). Also constant humidity is a lymphatic blocker

[@KWMc1952]

@@yelenaromaso4569 Thank you for your reply! I do not drink or smoke and do the Keto diet, but I can certainly try your suggestions and I will. It's interesting about the lymphatic fluid in the stomach because I do have intestinal problems. I am going to read more about this. I have no problem eating spicy foods. There's plenty around and I love it. 😁

[@seesterran3822]

I learned the same thing. Salt or electrolytes really help me endure the heat without getting severe headaches.

[@atomictraveller]

potassium, try some saladitos or such. take your hat, and restitch the head band so it's about 1/4" contact instead of the retarded 3/4" they make them at

[@WorldOfWonder66]

Things I do to keep my body temperature down is using a spray bottle to keep my hair wet. Also the back of my shirt wet. Also place your feet in a bowl of cool water. I do these things throughout the day. I enjoyed your video and reading everyone suggestions. I have been living off-grid in the high desert of Central Oregon for the last 10 years. It can be rough at times but it's so worth it

[@siriosstar4789]

i use to soak my bed sheet in water before sleeping when it was over 100 F and living in a tent while building my house . it was weird at first but allowed me to get to sleep .

[@non-applicable3548]

Wow. Tough lady.

[@ladyofthemasque]

Speaking of adapting, I live near Seattle (born & raised here), and my best friend from junior high moved with her family down to the Phoenix area when she got into high school. She came back after college and ended up wearing jeans & sweaters during our summers & bundling up during our winters, because they were just too cold for her. She didn't finish re-adapting to our mild but still distinctly colder by comparison climate until her 3rd year back!

[@nslouka90]

I live in Arizona and definitely can relate, best thing I did when I moved was buy a double wall metal bottle and carried it around, I also use those powdered electrolyte things in my water to make up for all the nutrients lost when sweating.

[@bwbrady8372]

You're in the perfect climate for a swamp cooler. Maybe one is in your future. Also, another tip -- mist yourself with a spray water bottle regularly throughout the hot part of the day to dampen your clothes. Really helps.

[@bluntedvegas7028]

I don't think he has a water hookups. He brings his water in 5 gallon bottles and that wouldn't work. I use one and they are great..good advice for ppl trying to save some money on AC

[@jerimow8400]

All the best to you and your wife! I’m an old widow in Florida and enjoy seeing what your life is like. Right now it’s super hot and humid here and I can’t imagine living without A/C. Your lifestyle is fascinating!

[@debbiblakeslee2373]

Hello ! I’m in Sebastian Florida

[@jerimow8400]

@@debbiblakeslee2373 Hi! Hope you’re staying cool in Sebastian!

[@debbiblakeslee2373]

@@jerimow8400 I am … kind of lol 😆

[@gregpeterman1102]

@@debbiblakeslee2373 Tallahassee here, feels a bit hotter up in Georgia, no gulf breeze.

[@raymonddriggers]

In Jacksonville it’s triple digit humiditure

[@nanvaughn2258]

When I talk to old timers that grew up in Phoenix before AC they said at night they kept cool by getting the sheets wet and rolling up in them to sleep. Also most homes here had screened sleeping porches with cots.

[@shara1929]

I stick my head in the fridge too for a couple seconds or more, then close it and use my ice packs on my head, shoulder, and everywhere then I stay cool for an hour or so😊

[@tduenchan]

Have you considered covering the front porch? It looks like the previous owner was moving in that direction. It looks like there was an effort to develop greenery along one side at one time to eventually create shade. Some other off grid thoughts involve creating limited natural air conditioning via digging underground air tubes…pulling outside air through underground air tubes that cool air naturally and blow into the house. It still requires using electric power for the fan but it would be less than real AC. If you limited the use between 11-3, it would at least be at peak solar.

[@cooltechandmore]

You are young, I grew up without air conditioning and went to high-school without it. I am 70 years old

[@deerhaven3350]

So funny, I'm watching this and thinking about all of the strategic things I used to do to cool down my condo near Simi Valley, CA where I lived for nearly 10 years before retiring to the Pacific Northwest in 2017.When I was a kid we lived without A/C in Anaheim, CA and I can remember times when it was so hot we would go to bed with wet/wrung out towels draped over our torsos in order to get to sleep.

[@leahrowe847]

There's a guy on YT that put vents in the outside walls at the ceiling & floors of his home, which could be opened & closed as the temperature got hot/cold. The way it worked is he'd open those vents & the heat would escape from the top & draw cold air from the ground at the same time. He actually had a thermometer & recorded the temps & showed how it drew the cold air in from the floor & released hot air out the ceiling. It was pretty slick; plus, the vents were easily opened/closed at will, so in the winter, when you don't need them, close 'em up tight!!

[@tykuhn22]

If it gets too bad, you can try putting some reflectix in the windows as well! I used to do that a my former apartment to reduce my power bill from cooling. I thought it worked really well! It worked well in our camper van too 😝

[@gailcurl8663]

You would think this guy would know of more window options then Thin Light Curtains. Not Too Bright!!

[@carolforsythe6316]

Aluminum foil on the OUTSIDE of the windows-using dish soap and water sprayed on the window and apply like tint, easy to remove but on the outside the heat does not come through the glass. will make things many degrees cooler

[@tykuhn22]

@@carolforsythe6316 Clever thinking! I recall seeing homes with windows like that when out west in the past. 😲

[@julieredmond8271]

@@carolforsythe6316 Brilliant!! Thank you!!

[@oklahomaisok]

I have put those Mylar emergency blankets (they sell at Walmart in the camping section) on my windows when I lived in an apartment complex. When they are cut to fit the window and pulled tight and taped it’s like a mirror on the outside and inside you can see out. Keeps the light and heat from entering.

[@brianguetzlaff2761]

Especially in the summer, you should build shade (as others have suggested) such that the sun never hits the walls. So shade down to the ground. In the winter, the sun will be lower and shine in underneath to help warm your buildings. One way to do this is to have a trellis and grow deciduous vines on it (grapes, passion vine, etc). Then the degree of shade automatically matches the seasons. Also, if you have room to do so, you may wish to put in a solar-powered thermosiphon for air cooling. It has 3 (or 4, depending on how you count) parts to it: 1) A black chimney pipe (no longer than 4 ft above the roof) that comes in on the sun-facing side - this is the exhaust pipe 2) An air intake for the exhaust pipe that is near floor level (could be a curtain hanging down such that the air flows under it, or just extend the pipe down to the desired level). This is important, as you want the air to flow down low by where you live, and not up by the roof where you won't feel it. 3) A buried air intake pipe that enters the building near floor level and is buried 3 ft under the surface of the soil, and runs for about 60 ft in length 4) A shaded/protected air inlet for your intake pipe (a simple shack will do, with a grate to make sure stuff doesn't get into the pipe) The way it works is that the sun heats the chimney pipe and creates an updraft. That draws air out of the building, and new air in via the intake. The intake air is cooled to a consistent temperature around 55 F by running underground for that distance. This doesn't require any outside breeze or energy, just the heat of the sun.

[@hello-ji7qj]

When it comes to shades, you want air to flow through the shade and cool it. Otherwise it will get very hot and re-radiate heat. A lattice type is best, even with holes that let some sun through. Two layers of lattice with some separation is ideal, but maybe not worth the extra complexity and cost.

[@shingtome2179]

Sounds like something the ancient Koreans had for their traditional homes

[@terransotter]

I use thin sheets of styrofoam cut to the size of my window 🪟 sections. If it’s going to be hot I just pop it in place, light still comes through but it drastically cuts down on the heat. Pop them out again at night.

[@joshcantrell8397]

That chimney air intake design is genius

[@Rexy-sy9wt]

Good advice

[@frodrickfronkensteen9241]

Lived in Savannah Georgia for 4 years. Live downtown (in the historic district). Parts are 1ft below sea level. Certain summers, it rained in my A/C-conditioned threshold when I opened the door.

[@1framistan]

I can't believe you didn't talk about having a shade-roof above the building... or at least painting the roof white... or earth-berming a couple walls... or a solar chimney to give airflow to the house during non-windy days. Also, a fan to blow air in a swamp cooler would use VERY LITTLE electricity... maybe 20 or 30 watts, and produce a LOT of cooling in the dry desert.

[@dave31764]

good suggestions, very nice.

[@andreawisner7358]

He's winging it. I don't think he's done advanced study into the subject. Creating shade is the #1 form of passive cooling. I guess growing trees isn't an option there? But shading the house with tarps etc. is a great option. When we were in Houston we also put "solar screens" on the windows. White/reflective roof is also great.

[@magesalmanac6424]

If you paint the roof will that impact the water collection from the roof? Any concern with chemicals in the water?

[@andreawisner7358]

@@magesalmanac6424 Yes, it's a concern. Be careful what you use to paint. On asphalt shingles you might use lime (powder from home depot or wherever). It will make the water alkaline but shouldn't poison it.

[@andeannafarnes4719]

Earth berming a wood structure with desert soil is a bad idea. Ternamites are common and VERY hungry with no big trees growing about.

[@bubba7626]

Yep - A large canopy painted white - built over your house, not touching it but separate so as not to allow for any thermal conductivity would be a great thing to add.

[@carlsails58]

Great. Thanks for posting your experience for this dreamer.

[@curtisstewart3179]

If your travels find you in the SW corner of New Mexico seek out the town of Hachita. It's along the Mexico border and is an old Railroad town. The interesting thing is how the worker houses were built for wind circulation. Also, the double steel roof is an interesting detail. The Mormons figured this out in the late 1880's in Utah as a way to keep the house cool. These are stick wall houses and not adobe. Very interesting way to keep the house cool using only circulation. Another thing is porches around the house as a way to cool air before it enters the house.

[@1sthawkfeathers547]

In Florida, our 'cracker' houses were built off the ground and a breeze way through the the house so that air circulates through. The windows matched on each side of the rooms. I love those old houses. Blessings to you.

[@KKing55]

When we built our house, we put in a window on the west side that opened from the top to let the hot air out. We also put in an attic fan and it would take really hot air out and in 10 minutes the whole house would be as cool as outside. I cut off the tops of socks, get them wet and put them on my wrist. That helps cool me down quick. Or a wet rag on the back of my neck. Cold drinks. Shade, Shade Shade. The more shade, the cooler your whole area will be.

[@charliepatterson9321]

I moved from Louisiana to the Mojave in 1986 . Nobody had air conditioning in the desert . They had swamp coolers which worked surprisingly well . I don't know how much power your solar panels generate yet if you can run a fan and put an ice pack behind it then you have cool air . Just a thought .

[@bonniepwtf]

I give you guys so much credit for keeping a positive attitude in the harsh conditions you're experiencing. ✌

[@offgridrooster]

Great advice! I tend to forget the things I learned when I was younger in how to stay cool. It's part of the offgrid life. I am in the Texas desert and understand. It's all about adjusting and not trying to tame nature. We are resilient!! Takes time to get use to it. Thanks for the information. ☮️🙏☯️ Stay strong, safe and healthy

[@liamalepta8003]

Being born and raised in Phoenix Arizona, i know this method well. get several of those Mexican wool blankets, then soak them with water, hang each blanket in door ways, the front door and the back door, breezes would cause an evaporative cooler type effect.

[@nickwillard4471]

I don't know anything about living off grid, I'm just watching this out of curiosity. Something that I can definitely agree with you on is dry heat being preferable to humid heat. I'd rather be hot and dry all day than hot and sticky. I can drink water as I need to but I can't unstink myself without taking a shower.

[@redgatecrt]

Best best way is to keep the sun heating any surface area of the building. In stead of curtains, use bamboo blinds on the outside of windows and off the windows allowing air to circulate. Way cheaper than internal window coverings

[@TheMighty_T]

I think looking into building your own adobe-wall, as a kind of free standing sun shade structure to cover some side of the house could be a cool project, or looking to plant a few suitable tree types for your climate? There are a few things you can do to improve shade and sun protection over time. Great video :b

[@ziaride]

Hey neighbor! I'm also in NM without AC, but fortunate to be up at 7000ft where it doesn't get as hot and tall trees shading half the house. Still got to open the windows at night and close blackout curtains during the day. It also helps having huge 4ft roof overhangs on my 60s era house that shade windows and walls. Also window fans are great, blow hot air out or bring cool air in, my nicer ones have temperature controls.

[@Aleixo-mv8jp]

It reminds me of my 29 palm cabin! It was amazing! Sold 2019

[@shawneeb3771]

We live in Ocala, Fl and we tinted our windows. You can buy some really dark tint at any hardware store. We were shocked on the drop of our electric bill and how much cooler it was in the house. I lived in Toas for a long time years ago and a lot of people would get white canvas and hang it up on the sides of their porches to reflec the heat. Stay Safe out there.

[@calicons3]

One thing a lot of people don't consider is reducing the amount of stuff in your living space, even if it's just temporarily. For those without A/C, it makes a considerable difference in the indoor temperature of your home. Everything in the home collects heat and radiates it back out, making your indoor temperature much hotter than it has to be. It also allows for better air circulation if you just have less stuff. Another thing I've found to be very helpful is putting a reflective tarp on your roof during extreme temperatures. The southwest heat can be brutal, and it's all the little, well-thought out things that can really make a difference

[@aznative_]

Energy can't be created nor destroyed. Your theory doesn't exactly hold up. Those things initially soaked up the heat making the room cooler, temporarily and then they dissipated their heat overtime. The temperature spikes would have been more extreme without them in the room but the heat was introduced into the room regardless if those objects are there or not. You can't get away from that.

[@itzakpoelzig330]

But the airflow argument is totally valid.

[@calicons3]

@@aznative_ I know this from experience, ok?

[@aznative_]

@@calicons3 the more objects that are in a room longer it will take that room to get hot because those items like you said are absorbing the heat. During that time period the room is cooler for longer due to the objects. Then when the room and the objects are the same temperature they have a net zero effect. Then the ambient room temperature will start to go down and the objects will still be radiating heat. That's the only time they're not beneficial or neutral. If you take the good they did in the beginning and the bad they did at the end it's a wash. If you didn't understand that I'd be happy to break it down even farther for you. I can. In terms of airflow and your reflective tarps those are great ideas that do work.

[@calicons3]

@@aznative_ I understand what you're saying, but I have to ask...do you live in the SW without A/C? I do, and I'm just relaying what has worked for me.

[@JustAnotherHo]

A small vent in the roof or a windows as high as one can be installed can do wonders. This once was extremely common in many homes and buildings. Hot air rises, give it a way to keep going.

[@anitaditzler7385]

I once lived in a house with red wooden siding. It can get up to 110 degrees here in Oklahoma in summer and the walls were hot enough to burn your hand. A white wall will reflect the heat and remain cool. Big difference

[@debbabbit9283]

Had a chance to rent an apartment for a year in Rome and discovered that the summer heat was so oppressive there that the city is almost a ghost town. Most shops closed and and people vacationed by water. The few who were stuck at home were so hot, annoyed, and grouchy that we could see why the lake or sea were better. Our window coverings were made of thick wood slats that sealed so tight there was ZERO natural lighting so there were no woven blinds needed outside. The temperature contrast was a 25 degree drop. The 4th floor walls were thick and floors were thick marble, but the Roman blinds were wonderful!

[@angelambca]

May I suggest shade? It could be a tree, a trellis/pergola with shade cloth, or a myriad of other options. Shade reduces temperatures by a good 10 degrees.

[@Laura-wn2yy]

Especially trees. They absorb so much heat, and cool the environment around them. Trees are difficult to get growing in the desert, though.

[@carolinekloppert5177]

I agree so much with you about habit, what one is used to. I live in a country that is probably hotter than the US. Air conditioning just isn't a thing here like it is in north America or Dubai. I admire you and other people in New Mexico so much for going against the energy consumption grain and suffering a little for the sake of the planet. How do we cope without aircon ? In the heat of summer when we can't sleep at night some may use an electric fan and sleep in wet pajamas. Quickly you are icy cold, but the minute the fan is off and your clothes are dry the feeling of oppressive heat is back with a vengeance. People sleep outside if there is a safe place to do so. In desert countries they often sleep on the roof. I use curtain management with electric fans to keep cool enough to work during the day. I'll also use window and door management, closing the windows during the heat of the day, and opening up as soon as the earth outside cools a bit, and when it is palpably hotter inside than out at night I'll open the front and back door for through flow. My plans for future temperature management are building a verandah on the west side of the house which will double as outdoor bedroom and kitchen in summer and shading the north walls with deciduous or annual vines. My terracotta roof is the main source of heat at night and some reflective insulation foil on the ceiling may help a lot. My parent's house is built from mud brick with very thick walls and is wonderfully cool in summer. It is also a Victorian era building. I noted some of the climate management used by Victorians mentioned in the comments. My parents house has very high ceilings and all the sash windows used to have shutters which let air through but kept the sun off the glass. It has a passage sweeping through the center of the house that allows a strong draft to blow through at night. Have you checked out the genius traditional system of wind catchers used by desert dwelling people in north Africa ? Sometimes the stream of air is sucked over an underground water cistern to cool it. I've also seen a construction in which wind blows in through a terracotta grille that is made of hollow bisque fired tubes filled with water. If I could start again with getting a house I'd look to indigenous architecture and build my own with thick adobe or use mud brick domes for roofing. People who have lived in deserts for thousands of years without modern technology have the best ways of controlling indoor climates.

[@collinolguin5772]

Appreciate all the tips if I could give one I’d recommend buying three large poles possibly old telephone poles and stretching a triangle shade tarp over y’all’s house