Meteorologists are comparing summer 2012 in Michigan to 1988. In 1988, it was 90-plus for weeks with no rain. I felt every degree of it because I was 8-9 months pregnant and living in an upstairs apartment with no air conditioning. We have never had a central air conditioning unit. For most of our 25-year married life, we survived summer heat without air conditioning period. We bought two small portable window units last year, but for over two decades we managed to stay cool without an air conditioner. Here's how. 'Heat Dome' Survival Without Air Conditioning