In summer, during heatwaves and against the backdrop of power outages—which experts already call likely given regular shelling by the Russian Armed Forces—residents of old panel buildings, top-floor apartments, dwellings with windows facing south, southwest, and west, as well as homes with large glazing, will suffer the most. Without air conditioning, such apartments can quickly accumulate heat and cool down slowly at night. UNN looked into how to escape the summer heat without the ability to use electrical appliances and who will find it hardest to do so.
Details
During the summer heat, the main problem for residents of high-rise buildings will be the high outdoor temperature and the building's own ability to accumulate and retain heat. This especially applies to the old housing stock built during the Soviet period, which often lacks high-quality thermal insulation, modern glazing, facade shading, and proper ventilation.
During blackout periods, the situation may become more complicated, as residents will not always be able to use air conditioners, fans, humidifiers, or other equipment to cool the premises. Because of this, some apartments will effectively turn into an "oven." Especially in the afternoon and evening, when the walls, roof, and glass have already accumulated maximum heat.
Which buildings overheat the most
Experts identify panel "Khrushchevkas" of the 1-464 series as the most problematic. These are usually five-story buildings without elevators, with flat roofs, dark seams between panels, and often without proper sun protection. It is these types of buildings that can turn into an "oven" for residents during a heatwave.
The main reason is thin walls approximately 21–35 cm thick, a flat roof without an attic, and the structure's poor ability to protect apartments from heating. The situation can be particularly difficult on the fifth floor: the ceiling under the roof can heat up significantly in the heat, and the heat is transferred directly into the apartment.
Another risk group is the panel "Chekhivkas" of the 1-464A series and BPS-6 type buildings. "Chekhivkas" often have long nine-story blocks and continuous loggias across the entire width of the room, while BPS-6 buildings have high-rise sections, slanted balconies, and large windows. In such buildings, a so-called greenhouse effect is created: the glass lets solar heat inside, while the hot air on the loggias and near the windows struggles to escape.
Separately highlighted are the expanded clay concrete high-rises of the KT and KTU series, which were actively built in the 1980s–1990s. They can be recognized by their 16 stories, facades made of small tiles, square or triangular loggias, and two elevators in the entrance. Such buildings have thicker walls, about 35 cm, but this is not always an advantage in summer. The structures can accumulate heat for a long time during the day and release it slowly at night. As a result, the apartment does not have time to cool down even after sunset.
Which apartments will be the hottest in summer
Residents of the top floors are at the greatest risk. The roof takes the direct solar load throughout the day, and if there is no technical floor or attic above the apartment, the heat is quickly transferred downward. Because of this, upper apartments can be significantly hotter than dwellings on middle floors.
The cardinal direction also matters significantly. Apartments with windows facing south, southwest, and west heat up the most. It is in the second half of the day that the sun actively heats the walls and glass, so in the evening, the temperature in the rooms can remain high even when it is already getting cooler outside.
Another factor is the large area of glazing. Panoramic windows, unshaded loggias, balconies with continuous glazing, and old window structures without protective films or blinds act as a source of additional heat. If sunlight enters the room unhindered, furniture, floors, and walls heat up, after which they continue to release heat for a long time.
What to do in a high-rise building in summer without an air conditioner
The first and most effective step is to shade the windows. Curtains, blinds, roller shutters, or reflective film on the sunny side help keep direct sunlight out of the room. It is important to close the windows specifically before the room starts to heat up, rather than when the heat is already felt inside.
External shading works best: roller shutters, awnings, blinds on the street side, or at least thick curtains inside. If it is not possible to install special systems, you can temporarily use light-colored fabric, foil screens, or other safe materials that reduce sun penetration into the room.
The second step is to ventilate the apartment correctly. During the day, open windows often do not cool but instead let hot air inside. The optimal time for ventilation is at night and in the morning, approximately until 9:00 AM and after 10:00 PM. During this period, the temperature is lower, and there is a chance to at least partially cool the rooms.
After morning ventilation, it is better to close the windows and lower the curtains or blinds. If the apartment has windows on different sides, it is worth creating a draft during the cool hours. However, during the peak of the heat, it may only worsen the situation if scorching air enters from the street.
How to humidify the air in an apartment during the summer heat
In a hot apartment, humidifying the air can help. For this, you can use bowls of water, wet cloth near the window, or a humidifier if there is electricity. Humid air is easier to breathe, although excessive humidity is also undesirable, especially in poorly ventilated rooms.
It is also worth turning off unnecessary equipment: TVs, chargers, computers, old household appliances, routers, microwave ovens, and other devices can be additional sources of heat.
This is especially important during power outages. When electricity returns, many people simultaneously charge phones and power banks, turn on appliances, cook food, and use several devices. In the heat, this can quickly raise the temperature in the room.
Why it's better not to cook during peak heat
The kitchen is one of the main sources of additional heating in an apartment. The stove, oven, electric kettle, and microwave increase the temperature by several degrees, especially if the kitchen is small or poorly ventilated. Therefore, in summer, it is better not to cook during the hours of maximum heat.
The optimal option is to move cooking to the morning or evening. During the hottest hours, you should choose food that does not require long use of the stove or oven. This could be cold dishes, salads, ready-made grains, vegetables, dairy products, meat, or other products prepared in advance.
How to prepare for the heat during a blackout
Residents of apartments at risk should check in advance which rooms heat up the most, where a cooler place for sleeping can be organized, and whether there is a possibility to shade the windows. If the apartment has several rooms, in the heat, it is better to choose the one that faces north or east and heats up less in the afternoon.
It is also worth having a supply of water, light clothing made of natural fabrics, a room thermometer, wet towels, power banks, and simple shading tools. If the power is often cut in the building, it is better to plan a routine: ventilate at night, charge equipment in different rooms, do not turn on unnecessary appliances, and do not use the stove during peak heat.
Old panel buildings cannot be quickly transformed into energy-efficient housing without renovating facades, roofs, windows, and ventilation systems. But even basic actions can reduce apartment overheating: shading, proper ventilation, giving up unnecessary appliances, and moving cooking to cooler hours. During periods of heat and power outages, this can be a minimal but real way to reduce the burden on health.
Reminder
Scientists have confirmed that waves of devastating drought are occurring more frequently due to warming. A climate study by scientists from South Korea and Australia revealed the rapid spread of abnormal heat that instantly dries out the soil. Over the last forty years, the land area suffering from such combined natural strikes has grown from 2.5% to almost 17%.