It’s a well-known fact that air conditioning units are expensive to run - and even more so this year with spiralling energy costs.
But with temperatures in Austria already hitting the mid-30s on some days, apartment dwellers are starting to feel the heat.
What are the alternatives to air conditioning? Here’s what you need to know.
Use a fan
An electrical fan might not cool the air down as much as an air conditioning system, but it is significantly cheaper to run.
Der Standard reports that a fan uses 95 per cent less energy than a mobile AC unit, with an average cost of just €7 per summer (based on 60 days of use).
Whereas a mobile air conditioning unit could cost €170 in additional electricity costs.
Close blinds and curtains
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to cool down an apartment is to keep all blinds and curtains closed during the day to keep out the heat.
In Vienna, there are even government subsidies available to purchase external blinds and shutters for an apartment. Although permission from a landlord is required for rental properties.
The City of Vienna website has more information about this scheme.
Hang up wet laundry
A top tip to cool down a hot apartment is to hang up wet laundry to dry.
As the clothes dry, evaporation removes heat from the air, cooling the room. Not using a tumble dryer also saves money on energy bills.
READ ALSO: Ten ways to save money on your trip to Austria this summer
Wear clothing made from natural fibres
Wearing natural fibres is one of the best ways to stay cool in hot weather.
This means wearing clothing made from cotton, linen, silk, bamboo, lyocell or merino wool.
Bamboo and lyocell are also sustainable crops, so buying clothes made from these fibres is better for the environment too (as long as it’s from FSC-certified wood).
Drink lots of water
This is an obvious one, but it works.
Always drink plenty of water during hot weather - even when inside an apartment - as this will help to keep your body temperature down.
Additionally, try to eat a light diet during times of high temperatures, such as salads and vegetables.
Use a damp cloth
If it gets really hot at night, try using a cool damp cloth to cool the neck.
It won’t have the same effect as crisp air conditioning, but it will help to cool you down.
Last resort
If air conditioning is the only option, try to use it sparingly, for example, just for a few hours at night.
Mobile air conditioning units are the most expensive, using approximately 8kWh of electricity during an eight-hour period. However, they are easy to source at hardware stores and are simple to install.
Split units (with indoor and outdoor compartments) are cheaper to run but need to be installed by a specialist and require permission from a landlord. These devices use around 40 to 50 percent less energy than a mobile unit.
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