Growing up in the heart of South America in the 1970s and 1980s, finding comfort in the heat was not always easy. Electricity was scarce and expensive. Apart from the main town, electricity only became available for the rural villages starting in the late 1970s and through the 1980s. Our family got 24 hour electricity starting in 1978. Even so, outages were frequent. And until the mid to late 1960s even in the main town electricity was off between 21:00 and 06:00.

And with lows around 32℃ [90℉] to 35℃ [95℉] (the highs could go up to 44℃ [111℉]) finding comfort without melting was a challenge. Having a fan move air around was better than nothing. Sleeping outside on an elevated platform was a frequent practice. Because having air circulate both above and below the body helps to carry the heat away. And to reduce the thermal barrier [of a mattress] even more, a hammock made of netting was a popular option.

Our ancestors quickly learned build with massive adobe walls 30-40cm [12-16 inches] thick and whitewashed on the outside to reflect the heat. Big porches all around the house became an additional measure of heat protection. Not to mention the added benefit for rain water collection. But above all a clever ventilation strategy: Close all windows about one hour (no later than two hours) after sunrise, and keep all internal doors closed as well. Open the windows and doors at sunset, to allow any breeze to freely circulate through the whole house. And above all, keep glass panes to a minimum in size and number! (The amount of heat transfer through a glass window is incredible.)