you're kidding, right? We live in Tucson, and if we left doors open for crossvent past 9am, we'd be sitting in a convection oven from June thru September! Might want to reconsider that piece of advice. How about, leave them open when it's still cool, then close them against the heat of the day to try to keep cool air inside, so your A/C doesn't have to work harder heating the interior furnace you would create otherwise?

its peak, not "it's peak."

Actually, "it's peak" is right. It shows possession and, therefore, requires an apostrophe.
By the way, I do believe that the comments section is for feedback on the article and not for correcting grammar.

I think the advice was given generally, not specifically to those residing in Arizona.

Thanks for the advice. I'm saving pennies for awnings!

Amber, you're correct and incorrect -- correct when you say the comment section is for feedback but incorrect about "its". This word IS possessive.

When temperatures top out at over 100 degrees I dont know how anyone can do without a/c...It makes you feel lethargic and sickly to be that hot.Pretty dangerous I would think?

Um, Barbara, this is about keeping the house cool without using AC. If you know you are going to use AC, then why are you reading this article?

Jessica, always hoping for helpful tips I might not have considered, why else? I was just making an observation, and I apologize for reading something I apparently was not entitled to because of where I live.

Maybe she is like me and needed a good laugh. I live in Mississippi and keeping cool in summer without AC is next to impossible.

This doesn't apply to people in Texas either, does it?

Its doesn't use an apostrophe when it is possessive. Please check things out before criticizing others.

Its doesn't use an apostrophe when it is possessive. Please check things out before criticizing others.

I live in Idaho and yes, we open our doors an windows until about 11-noon to let in fresh and cooler air. At about noon, we shut the doors and windows and close the blinds. It helps tremendously. We do however, use window airconditioners in the afternoons when it is really hot and you need some circulation. We also use fans during the afternoon to cirulate the cool air from the window air conditioners. It the heat of summer we also leave our bedroom airconditioner on during the night. We also have an awning on our west side and close the blinds there also. I used to live in Tucson, and now live in Boise and the temperatures are about
the same. I appreciate the suggestions and am always looking for ways to stay cool. Of course, the it always helps to hit the swimming pool late in the day to lower your body temperature.

All good tips for staying cool; not all of us live in the south.
If I remember correctly, "it" refers to something other than by its name. "It's" is a contraction for "it is", and its shows possession.
Much ado about "nuttin".

This is the first time I've actaully read something on iVillage and after reading the article and some of the comments think the website might be more appropriately named "iVillageIdiots."

How about some ideas for people who live in small apartments?
I live in Manhattan, I dont have a back door, and my windows are small. So I am not able to use the only idea discussed here, and I am really interested in be cool without an AC. Any other suggestions?
Mya

I just had to comment on the ivillageidiots.
So funny! My first time reading these and was thinking the same thing just not as well put.

Wow.... never read the comments before on one of these articles. Ouch...
Trees for shade, cross breeze while the temperature permits,awnings are all great ideas for upstate NY. Awnings are expensive, that is true. Any window treatment seems to help though.
Peace and cool breezes to you all.

In addition to temperature, you should really consider humidity. You may have great cross ventilation, and feel relatively comfortable, but high humidity will help mold and dust mites to thrive. When you use cross ventilation, consider both temperature and humidity. And, yes, I do understand that in Arizona humidity may rarely be a concern!

Interesting comments. I'm not sure why I read the article either. Here in the Pacific NW, I'd give my eyeteeth for weather hot enough to worry about keeping cool. I'm just trying to keep my tomato blossoms from dropping off from the cold nighttime temps! Hahahaha!

Lord, please help me value kindness over rightness! We're each on this site seeking a new idea or reminder we might have forgotten or not thought of. Texas summers are Habenera HOT! We added radiant barrier in the attic and on west wall of our house. We also keep our thermostat set on 78 degrees so it doesn't work near as hard as it used to. Keep frozen gallon water jugs in the freezer (take one out, put another in)for our two indoor dogs, a couple set in front of a fan near their sleeping area & wash tummys & paws with cool cloth occasionally. Encourages me to wash my hands & face often as well. Wish we had a pool, that would be most refreshing! Check on the elderly in your neighborhood & make sure their needs are met. Our current economy makes those on fixed incomes either have food... medicine... or cool air... what a choice???

"its peak" is correct as it shows possession. It's means it has or it is. Weather in the low 90s with humidity either 80 or 90 % and all the concrete magnifying every degree so that the temp really is about 104. Got to keep the doors closed and the windows to keep the hot air out. These suggestions are pretty weak. Hard to believe someone gets paid for writing these or repeating them.

Robin, thanks for your helpful comments. I am going to research radiant barriers - good idea!