The June heat dome that affected New England was tough by any measure. Are there ways to mitigate the impact of a heat wave that we could utilize in the coming weeks of July and August?

Consider this scenario: it’s 95°F outside. Your air conditioner is humming at full blast, and your electricity meter is spinning like a roulette wheel. Meanwhile, a few blocks away, a cleverly designed home stays comfortably cool using nothing more than smart landscaping, strategic window placement, thermal mass (a building’s material that absorbs, stores and releases heat energy) and the natural physics of airflow. Air conditioning can demand nearly 70% of residential electricity during heat waves, but passive cooling techniques can cut your need for AC by 30% or more.

As summers intensify and the need to stay cool becomes increasingly essential, here are some ways to reduce energy consumption by utilizing passive cooling techniques.

Quick wins: Immediate cooling relief

Create cross-ventilation. Open windows on opposite sides of your home during cooler morning and evening hours to create natural airflow. Close windows and use interior shades during the hottest part of the day to trap the cooler air inside.

Use the “thermal chimney” effect. Open windows at the lowest and highest points of your home to create natural air circulation. Hot air will rise and exit through upper windows, drawing cooler air in through lower openings.

Block solar heat gain. Close curtains, blinds or shades on south- and west-facing windows during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). This simple action can reduce indoor temperatures by 10-15°F by preventing solar radiation from heating your interior surfaces.

Switch to fans strategically. Ceiling fans use only 10–120 watts compared to 2,000–4,000 watts for central air conditioning.

Intermediate solutions: Modest investments, major impact

Install reflective window film. Window film can reject up to 80% of solar heat while still allowing natural light through.

Add exterior shading. Awnings, exterior blinds or shade sails block solar heat before it reaches your windows — far more effective than pulling shades inside your windows. Strategic exterior shading can reduce indoor temperatures up to 20°F during peak heat.

Upgrade to whole-house fans. These powerful fans mounted in your attic or upper floor can pull hot air out of your home while drawing cooler outdoor air through open windows.

Insulate strategically. While often overlooked in cooling discussions, proper insulation keeps hot air out just as effectively as it keeps warm air in during winter. Focus on attic insulation first, to slow heat radiating down from a hot roof.

Designing for natural cooling

When you’re ready to make a larger investment in home modifications, these approaches can dramatically reduce air conditioning needs:

Create thermal mass cooling systems. Install tile, concrete or stone floors that can absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night.

Plant strategically for microclimate control. Deciduous trees on the south (for homes in the northern hemisphere) and west sides of your home can block up to 90% of solar radiation in summer, while allowing warming sun through in winter.

Install a cool roof. Light-colored or reflective roofing materials can reduce roof surface temperatures by 30% and extend roof lifespan by reducing thermal stress.

Design natural ventilation systems. Strategically placed windows, vents and even simple wind towers (sometimes called “windcatchers” or “wind scoops”) can create robust natural cooling systems.

Employ the Earth for cooling. Ground temperatures remain relatively constant year-round (typically 55°F at 7 feet deep), making Earth-coupled systems highly effective for both heating and cooling. While geothermal heat pumps require significant investment, simpler Earth tubes or ground-coupled air systems can provide substantial cooling benefits at a lower cost.

A cooler future starts with smart choices

As summers intensify, remember that the most sustainable cooling system is often the one you don’t need to run, because you’ve designed natural comfort into your living space. And the financial benefits of passive cooling strategies compound over time. Many passive cooling projects generate a competitive return on investment through reduced energy bills.

This week, challenge yourself to implement one passive cooling strategy before resorting to air conditioning. Whether that’s opening windows for cross-ventilation, installing reflective window film or using a fan to circulate air, your actions represent a meaningful step toward sustainable cooling and a healthier planet.

Peggy Siegle and Fred Horch are principals of Sustainable Practice. To receive expert action guides to help your household and organizations become superbly sustainable, visit www.SustainablePractice.Life and subscribe for free to “One Step This Week,” or go to suspra.com to purchase our book, “Sustainable Practices: Your Handbook for Effective Action.”