Just because you don’t have central air conditioning doesn’t mean that you have suffer through the sweltering heat of summer. Here are a few alternatives that you can choose from. First is the portable a/c, which allows you to cool an individual room or area. This a/c comes with an adapter kit that’s used to vent the warm air out of a window or fireplace. Portable a/cs are self-explanatory to install and can be moved from room to room. They are not without their disadvantages, but. They’re a bit more costly than a window a/c and they use more energy. A minute alternative to central air conditioning is the window a/c (or through-the-wall a/c). These are energy efficient, don’t take up space in a room, and once they’re installed, you’re done. Some of the disadvantages include limitations on the window size, a blocked view from the window, and/or the need to hire a professional to break a hole in your wall. A second alternative is the mini split, or ductless, a/c. These systems have a small condenser that goes outside and are connected to a small evaporator that’s installed on a wall or ceiling. The greatest advantage to mini splits is that they’re quiet and compact. The greatest disadvantage is that they’re a bit costly. Finally, ceiling and floor fans are always an option, an extremely affordable 1. Unfortunately, they don’t easily cool the air. They simply circulate the air around you.