If you want to be cool this summer and don’t like or have air conditioning follow these tips. They will keep your house cool without the paying the price of installing and operating air conditioning.

Tips for cooling a home:

1. Block that sun: When sunlight enters your house it turns into heat. You’ll keep your house cooler if you reduce solar heat gain by keeping the sunlight out. Close the drapes and line them with light-colored fabric that reflects the sun. Keep them closed during the hottest part of the day. Let them pillow onto the floor to block air movement.

2. Add awnings to your window: Installing awnings on the south and west facing windows will reduce solar heat gain by up to 77%.

3. Install shutters: Interior shutters and exterior shutters not only reduce heat gain and loss, but they also add security and protect against bad weather. Interior shutters with adjustable slats let you control how much sun you let in.

4. Apply high-reflectivity window film: Installing energy-saving window films on east and west facing windows will keep you cool in summer, but let in warming sun in the winter. Mirror like films are more effective than colored transparent films.

5. Be sure to open windows when the outside temperature is lower than the inside. Cool air helps lower the temps of everything; walls, floors, and furniture.

6. To create cross-ventilation, open windows on opposite sides of the house. Good ventilation helps reduce VOCs and prevents mold.

7. Use portable fans: At night, place fans close to open windows to move cool air into the house. During the day, put fans where you feel their cooling breezes. Moving air evaporates perspiration and lowers your body temperature. To get extra cool, place glasses or bowls of ice water in front of the fans. This will chill the moving air.

8. Ceiling fans: For maximum cooling effect, make sure ceiling fans spin in the direction that pushes air down, rather than sucks it up. Be sure to turn off fans when you’re not in the room, because fan motors give off heat, too.

9. Turn off or power down appliances: You’ll save money and reduce heat output by turning off appliances you’re not using, particularly your computer and television. Powering down multiple appliances is easier if you connect them to the same power strip.

10.Plant trees and vines to shade your home’s exterior and keep sunlight out of windows. Plant them by south and west facing walls where the sun is strongest.

These suggestions will help keep your home cooler during the summer without the need of air conditioning.

See related articles:

How to Reduce Your Winter Heat Bill

How to Stay Warm This Winter

How to Troubleshoot Baseboard Radiators

How to Ventilate Your House