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During extreme heat, cool the building before trying to cool yourself: block direct sun, use air conditioning if it is available, and open windows only when outdoor air is cooler than indoor air and safe to bring inside. A fan can move air across your skin, but it does not lower room-air temperature. If your home cannot stay cool, move to an air-conditioned place such as a cooling center, library, or mall, and arrange that plan before conditions become dangerous.
The guidance below is U.S.-focused. Indoor temperatures, heat alerts, air quality, housing, power reliability, and cooling-center availability vary locally, so check current instructions from your local health or emergency-management agency.
What to do in the first hour
Extreme heat is easiest to manage when you act in a deliberate order. The goal is to stop new heat entering the home, remove heat when conditions allow, and avoid treating air movement as mechanical cooling.
- Check on people at higher risk. Prioritize older adults, infants and children, people with chronic medical conditions, and anyone who lives alone or may not recognize heat illness. Confirm that they have water, a way to communicate, and a place to go if the home becomes too hot.
- Cover windows receiving direct sun. Close curtains, blinds, shades, or other coverings on windows exposed to morning or afternoon sunlight. Do this before the sun heats the glass and nearby surfaces.
- Run available air conditioning. Use a functioning air conditioner or heat pump according to its instructions. If the system is not keeping the home acceptably cool, do not wait for a failure before identifying an air-conditioned destination.
- Compare indoor and outdoor conditions before changing windows. Keep windows closed while outdoor air is hotter than indoor air. Open them when outdoor air is cooler only if outdoor air quality, security, and the need for ventilation permit it.
- Use fans only within the safety limits below. Fans move air; they do not turn a hot room into a cool room. Do not rely on a fan to make a dangerously hot room safe.
- Make the relocation decision early. If cooling is unavailable or inadequate, go to a cooling center or another air-conditioned public place rather than waiting until someone feels ill.
Stop sunlight from becoming indoor heat
Cover sun-facing windows during the hot part of the day
Sunlight through glass can heat floors, furniture, walls, and air. Close interior curtains, blinds, or shades on windows receiving direct morning or afternoon sun. Keep them closed for as long as those windows are exposed, then reassess as the sun moves.
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Exterior shading is generally more effective than interior shading because it blocks solar energy before it passes through the glass. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies exterior awnings and louvers as options that can reduce incoming heat more than interior shades. Exterior work may require landlord approval or building changes, so use interior coverings as the immediate measure when you cannot alter the outside of the building.
Use the right measure for the time available
| Measure | When it helps | What it does | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior curtains, blinds, or shades | Immediately, whenever direct sun reaches a window | Blocks some sunlight after it enters the window assembly | Usually less effective than shading outside the glass |
| Exterior awnings or louvers | During planned building improvements | Blocks more solar heat before it enters | May require installation permission, design work, or landlord approval |
| Insulation and air sealing | Before a heat wave and as part of building upgrades | Reduces heat transfer and uncontrolled air leaks | Not an instant fix for an already overheated room |
| Efficient windows and doors | During renovation or replacement | Can reduce heat gain and leakage compared with less efficient units | Higher-cost, permanent work; performance depends on the specific product and installation |
Neither the EPA nor the Department of Energy (DOE) guidance cited here provides a universal number of degrees that a particular curtain, awning, or window will remove. Treat these measures as ways to reduce heat entering the home, not as a guaranteed indoor-temperature result.
Decide whether windows should be open or closed
Keep windows closed when outside is hotter
When outdoor air is warmer than indoor air, an open window can add heat. Close windows and exterior doors as much as practical, especially on the sunniest and hottest sides of the home. Continue using window coverings on sun-facing glass.
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Open windows when outside becomes cooler
When outdoor air is cooler than indoor air, opening windows can exchange warmer indoor air for cooler outdoor air. This is most useful during a cooler evening, overnight period, or early morning. Close the windows again when outdoor temperatures rise above indoor temperatures.
This is a conditional decision, not a fixed “always open at night” rule. Before opening windows, check:
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- Outdoor air quality: Smoke, ozone, dust, or another pollution event can make outdoor air unsuitable for bringing inside. The EPA specifically advises considering outdoor air quality during pollution events.
- Security: Use only openings that are safe for your household and building. Do not leave accessible windows open if that creates a security risk.
- Ventilation needs: Cooking, cleaning, bathing, and other indoor activities can add pollutants or moisture. Ventilate as needed when outdoor conditions permit, while avoiding unnecessary heat entry.
- Humidity: The DOE notes that ventilation is less effective in hot, humid climates. Outdoor air may be cooler but still leave the home uncomfortably humid.
Create useful airflow without assuming it is cooling
If conditions are suitable, one window can be used to exhaust warmer indoor air while another opening draws in cooler air. EPA guidance describes positioning portable fans to exhaust hot air or draw in cooler air, but the fan still does not cool the air itself. Stop this strategy when outdoor air becomes hotter, polluted, unsafe, or too humid to improve comfort.
Understand what fans can—and cannot—do
A fan changes comfort, not room temperature
A portable or ceiling fan moves air across skin and can make a person feel cooler through evaporation. It does not remove heat from the room. In a closed room, it can simply move hot air around; if the motor adds heat, the room may gain a small amount of additional heat.
EPA states that “portable electric fans do not cool air.” The agency advises against using a fan for cooling in a closed room and warns against using electric fans for cooling when temperatures are in the mid-90s or higher. Its guidance allows a fan to help exhaust hot air or draw in cooler air when the surrounding conditions make that exchange useful.
Keep the two official thresholds distinct
| Agency guidance | Threshold or condition | How to apply it |
|---|---|---|
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “About Heat and Your Health,” page dated July 20, 2026 | “Use fans, but only if indoor temperatures are less than 90°F.” CDC says that above 90°F, a fan can increase body temperature. | Do not use a fan as the primary cooling measure at or above that indoor threshold; move to reliable air conditioning or another cooled place. |
| EPA, “Extreme Heat and Indoor Air Quality” | Do not use electric fans for cooling in the mid-90s or higher; do not use a fan for cooling in a closed room. | Use a fan only for appropriate air exchange or limited comfort when conditions are cooler and the room is not dangerously hot. |
These statements use different wording and are not one universal product-performance cutoff. Follow the more protective applicable instruction, and remember that a fan is never equivalent to air conditioning in a dangerously hot room.
Safer fan practices
- Use a fan to move air toward or across an occupant only when indoor temperature is within the CDC condition.
- Use a window fan for exhaust or intake only when outdoor air is cooler and clean enough to bring indoors.
- Do not aim a fan at someone as a substitute for relocating from a very hot room.
- Keep cords, plugs, and the fan itself away from water and follow the manufacturer’s electrical instructions.
- Turn off a fan that is not improving conditions; it cannot compensate for a failed air conditioner or a dangerously hot indoor temperature.
Use air conditioning and prepare the system
When air conditioning is available
Air conditioning provides mechanical cooling, unlike a fan. Use a functioning air conditioner or heat pump during the hot period, keep sun-facing coverings closed, and limit unnecessary opening of doors and windows while the system is working. If one room is being cooled, keep the people most vulnerable to heat there rather than spreading limited cooling across the whole home.
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The available guidance does not establish one correct thermostat setting for every household or equipment type. Follow the unit’s operating instructions and local health advice, and judge success by whether the indoor space remains safely cool for the people occupying it.
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EPA’s “Extreme Heat” guidance recommends preseason cooling-system checks and maintenance. Arrange service before the first severe heat event when possible. A check is especially important if the system has struggled in prior summers, cycles abnormally, makes unusual noises, or has not been used for months.
Preparation should also include knowing which rooms receive the most afternoon sun, identifying the easiest route to an air-conditioned destination, and confirming how you will communicate with household members during a power outage.
Understand other mechanical options
The DOE lists air conditioners, heat pumps, fans, and evaporative coolers among home-cooling approaches. They do not work the same way:
- Air conditioners and heat pumps: provide mechanical cooling by removing heat from indoor air.
- Fans: move air and may improve perceived comfort without lowering room-air temperature.
- Evaporative coolers: depend on evaporation and therefore are affected by humidity and ventilation conditions.
Ventilation and evaporative approaches are less effective in hot, humid climates. Do not select a cooling method solely because it works in a dry climate or in a different building; local humidity, outdoor temperature, available ventilation, and electrical capacity matter.
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Have a plan when the home cannot stay cool
Choose a cooled destination before it becomes urgent
If your home has no air conditioning, the equipment has failed, or indoor temperatures continue rising, spend time in an air-conditioned location. EPA identifies cooling centers and other air-conditioned public places as options; examples include a library or mall when those facilities are open and accessible.
CDC points people to 2-1-1, the National Center for Healthy Housing cooling-center resource, and local health or emergency-management agencies for information about available locations. Services, hours, transportation, and eligibility vary, so verify details locally rather than assuming a familiar facility will be open during every heat event.
Make relocation practical
- Write down the destination, address, hours, telephone number, and transportation method.
- Plan for medicines, mobility devices, chargers, identification, water, and supplies for children or pets as applicable.
- Arrange a check-in for anyone who lives alone or cannot travel independently.
- Leave before symptoms appear. A destination is most useful while the household can still travel safely.
Do not confuse a temporary comfort measure with a safe refuge
Closing shades, opening a window during a cool period, or using a fan under the stated limits may slow heat buildup or improve comfort. None guarantees that a home is safe during extreme heat. If the building cannot remain cool, relocation to reliable air conditioning is the protective step.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Plan for a power outage
A power outage can stop air conditioners, heat pumps, fans, and electrically operated ventilation. EPA’s “Power Outages and Indoor Air Quality,” last updated February 18, 2026, recommends using window coverings and conditional ventilation while considering outdoor pollution.
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- Close shades and curtains on sun-facing windows as soon as power is interrupted.
- Keep windows closed while outside air is hotter than inside; open them only when outside air is cooler and air quality and security permit.
- Do not operate fuel-burning equipment indoors or use an unsuitable generator inside a home, garage, or other enclosed space. The cited indoor-air-quality guidance is about avoiding harmful indoor conditions; follow local emergency instructions for outage equipment.
- Monitor indoor conditions and the health of vulnerable occupants rather than waiting for power restoration.
- Move to an air-conditioned destination if the home is becoming too hot, especially when the outage is prolonged or nighttime temperatures remain high.
Keep a charged phone, backup lighting, water, necessary medicines, and transportation information ready. The exact outage response depends on local utility instructions and the length of the interruption.
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Protect people and indoor air quality
Check vulnerable household members often
Heat can become dangerous faster for older adults, infants and children, people with chronic conditions, and people who live alone. Check in personally or by a reliable communication method. Look for changes in alertness, unusual weakness, confusion, or worsening illness and seek urgent medical help according to local emergency guidance if someone appears seriously affected by heat.
Balance cooling with indoor-air needs
Keeping windows shut can reduce heat entry but can also limit ventilation. Opening them can improve ventilation when outdoor conditions are favorable but can bring in smoke, ozone, dust, humidity, or more heat. Reassess after cooking, cleaning, bathing, or any activity that changes indoor air. The correct choice can change several times in one day.
Do not create a new hazard while trying to cool
- Do not use a fan to justify staying in a room that is already dangerously hot.
- Do not bring combustion fumes indoors while power is out.
- Do not block an air conditioner’s required airflow or alter electrical connections beyond the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Keep children and vulnerable adults away from hot rooms while you troubleshoot equipment.
Longer-term improvements that reduce heat gain
Immediate actions help during one heat event; building improvements reduce the amount of heat entering over many seasons. EPA and DOE identify insulation, air sealing, efficient windows and doors, shading, and cooling-system maintenance as relevant preparation measures.
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Insulation and air sealing
Insulation slows heat transfer through the building envelope. Air sealing reduces uncontrolled movement through gaps around doors, windows, and other penetrations. These measures require inspection and installation planning, but they can make mechanical cooling work against a smaller heat load.
Windows, doors, and shading
Replacing inefficient windows or doors and adding exterior shading can reduce solar gain and leakage. Renters may have less control over exterior work; ask the landlord or property manager about permitted coverings, awnings, window films, or building maintenance rather than installing something that violates the lease or creates a safety problem.
Cooling-system maintenance
Schedule preseason checks instead of waiting for the hottest day. Keep records of service, note rooms that repeatedly overheat, and ask a qualified professional what improvements are appropriate for the building. The available guidance does not support a universal savings estimate or temperature reduction for any one upgrade.
Choose an approach by situation
| Situation | First action | Next decision | What not to assume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunny afternoon, indoor air still cooler than outside | Close sun-facing coverings and windows | Use air conditioning if available; monitor indoor conditions | A fan alone will remove the room’s heat |
| Cool evening, clean outdoor air, secure windows | Open windows for ventilation | Close them when outside becomes warmer than inside | Night ventilation works equally well in hot, humid climates |
| Indoor temperature below 90°F and occupants need comfort | A fan may be used within CDC’s condition | Use appropriate air exchange if outside is cooler | The CDC threshold makes a fan an air conditioner |
| Indoor temperature at or above 90°F, or a closed room in the mid-90s or higher | Stop relying on fans for cooling | Use air conditioning or relocate | Air movement alone makes the space safe |
| Smoke or other outdoor pollution | Keep windows closed when practical | Follow local air-quality and health guidance | Opening a window is automatically healthy ventilation |
| Power outage with rising indoor heat | Shade windows and assess indoor/outdoor conditions | Move to a cooled location before conditions become dangerous | Power will return soon enough to eliminate the need for a plan |
A repeatable heat-wave checklist
- Check the heat alert and local air-quality information.
- Identify household members who need a cooler environment or assistance traveling.
- Cover every window receiving direct sun.
- Close windows while outdoor air is hotter than indoor air.
- Open windows only when outdoor air is cooler and air quality, security, humidity, and ventilation needs support it.
- Use air conditioning or a heat pump when available.
- Apply the CDC fan condition: indoor temperature less than 90°F. Keep EPA’s separate warning about closed rooms and the mid-90s or higher in mind.
- Confirm the address, hours, transportation, and accessibility of a cooling center or other air-conditioned destination.
- Check on vulnerable people regularly.
- If cooling remains inadequate, leave for reliable air conditioning rather than trying additional fan placement or improvised equipment.
The central rule is simple: block direct sun, keep hot outdoor air out, bring in cooler outdoor air only when conditions support it, and use reliable air conditioning—or leave for it—when the home cannot stay cool.
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