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Buy an electric fan

When placed directly in front of you, these fans will work wonders. Use a spray bottle to spritz yourself while in front of it and your internal temperature will dramatically change, since as the water evaporates off your skin, your body sheds heat.

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Close Your Windows

Close your windows

It may seem counterintuitive, but keeping windows open on hot days will often make your home warmer, not cooler. Come nighttime, if the air outside is cooler than inside, you can open your windows up — just be sure to close them before the sun hits your house in the morning.

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Invest in Houseplants

Invest in houseplants

That indoor herb garden might be doing wonders for the temperature in your home. You see, putting plants in front of sunny windows helps that will otherwise heat up your home.

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Run Fans to the Right

Run fans to the right

Make sure your ceiling fan rotates to the right, which will create a breeze that blows down on you. Pro tip: Since ceiling fans are designed to cool people, not spaces, save energy (and money!) by turning it off when you leave the room.

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Try the Cool Water Trick

Try the cool water trick

Similarly, you can fake the experience of air conditioning by putting a glass or bowl of in front of the fan, then situating yourself right in front of the breeze.

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Make a DIY Wind Tunnel

Make a DIY wind tunnel

If there's a cool breeze, particularly at night, set one fan facing in on the side of your home receiving the wind, and another facing out on the opposite end of the house. This will maximize the cooling power of a natural breeze.

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Strategically Install Your AC

Strategically install your AC

If possible, put room units on the north side of your house, because air conditioners operating in the shade use up to 10% less electricity than one in the sun. This will help your unit work harder for you and save you money on your electric bill too.

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Turn Your Lights Off

Turn your lights off

The good news: Modern lightning, like compact fluorescents and LEDs, are more efficient. But incandescent light bulbs can produce as much heat as they do light. On hot days, keep lights off as often as possible to keep temperatures down.

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Keep Electronics Away

Keep electronics away

Since your AC can sense heat from appliances, this can cause it to run longer than necessary. To avoid this, keep like lamps, TVs or computers, at least a few feet away from your AC thermostat.

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Install Attic Insulation

Install attic insulation

While attic fans may not significantly cool your home, insulation can prevent air in your home from escaping through the ceiling. It's especially important to seal ducts property if you have central air.

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Keep Your AC Clean

Keep your AC clean

The coils on the front and back of your unit throughout the season, so use a moist cloth or paper towel to wipe with the grain of coils before putting your unit in storage. This will help your appliance function at its fullest potential come next summer.

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Plant Trees in Your Yard

Plant trees in your yard

Even though this is more of a long-term fix than a quick and easy one, planting trees to shade your windows not only keeps your home cooler, but could also save you as much as 25% of the energy your home typically uses.

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Install Outdoor Awnings

Install outdoor awnings

Just like trees, awnings can save you money on energy bills by cutting down on the heat your house absorbs. Plus, when it's hot and steamy inside your house, you can escape underneath this shaded space in your backyard where there's a breeze.

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