Keep cool without using air con

LET’S face it - it’s hot outside and it’s just going to get worse over the next few months! You might think to turn on the air conditioning, but this is an expensive solution to staying cool. So why not try and employ some cost-effective measures to help beat the heat? Shut Up Shop: Did you know that up to 30 per cent of unwanted heat comes from your windows, so by using your window shades, shutters or curtains you can lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees.

Keeping the summer light out basically prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse, which is especially the case for southand west-facing windows. Insulated window films are a wise choice too as they work similarly to blinds.
Another cooling idea is to put awnings, or trees in front of light-facing windows to protect your home from the sun’s rays. Cool Off Before Bed: There is nothing like a cool shower in summertime, but a rinse before bedtime also brings down your core body temperature and washes off sweat so you can hit the hay feeling cool and clean. Also, it’s a good idea to have cotton sheets on the bed.
Bed linens made of lightweight cotton are breathable and good at promoting ventilation and airflow in the bedroom. Get Ceiling Fans: A ceiling fan is a cheap cooling investment that uses a fraction of the electricity of an air conditioning unit, but it is very effective. Switch Off the Lights: This may seem pretty obvious, but many people tend to forget about the heat generating power of light bulbs - even environmentally friendly CFLs give off heat.
Try to keep rooms cool by using lights minimally or not at all. Cook Outdoors: Using your oven in the summer is going to make your house hotter. Take advantage of summer evenings to barbecue outside, and keep your house nice and cool.