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Invest in blackout curtains -

Blackout curtains block  sunlight, naturally insulating the rooms in which they’re installed. These types of curtains can reduce heat by up to 33%.

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Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise -

You may not realize that your ceiling fan needs to be adjusted seasonally. Set it to run counter-clockwise in the summer at a higher speed, as the fan’s airflow will create a chilly breeze effect.

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Use large appliances at night -

Large appliances give off significant amounts of heat. Save the use of ovens, dishwashers, and dryers for evening hours when cooler temperatures will offset their output.

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Be smart about your doors -

Closing off unused rooms will prevent cool air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day. Keep them open during the cooler night hours to let air flow naturally.

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Get a buckwheat pillow -

Because buckwheat hulls have a naturally occurring airspace between them, they won’t hold on to your body heat like conventional pillows. Great for those warm nights!

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Keep your blinds closed -

Up to 30% of unwanted heat comes from your windows. Utilizing blinds can save you up to 7% on bills, and in general lower indoor temperatures tremendously.

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Keep your blinds closed -

In other words, closing the blinds essentially prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse.

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Close your windows -

It might sound counterintuitive, but keeping your windows closed during the hottest part of the day will prevent hot air from entering your home. As the temperatures outside start to cool down in the evening, open your windows then.

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Swap your sheets -

While textiles like flannel sheets and fleece blankets are fantastic for insulation during winter, cotton is the best choice in hotter months. It breathes easier and stays cooler.

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Insulate your attic and walls -

Many of the things that help keep your home warmer in the winter also help keep your home cooler in the summer. Insulation, for example, keeps the cool air in and the heat out.

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Let the night air in -

During summer months, temperatures may drop during the night. So if that's the case where you live, crack the windows open before going to bed.

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Let the night air in -

You can also create a wind tunnel by strategically setting up your fans to force the perfect cross breeze. Just don't forget to close the windows and blinds before it gets too hot in the morning.

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Shield your windows with trees -

Planting trees near light-facing windows will shield your home from the sun’s rays, and reduce the amount of heat your home absorbs.

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Install an awning -

Installing an awning above your windows will work to shield your home from the sun’s rays. The amount of heat that your home absorbs will reduce significantly.

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Try insulated window films -

Insulated window films are a smart purchase, as they work similarly to blinds. From cutting energy costs to providing you privacy while still enjoying the view, they can provide up to 98% infrared heat reduction.

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Try planting vines -

Vines like ivy grow quickly and provide cooling shade. The climbers reduce temperature by blocking the sunlight that heats up exterior walls. It's a great solution that also looks super charming.

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Hack a fan -

Fill a mixing bowl, or a big bottle, with ice and position it at an angle in front of a large fan so the air whips off the ice in an extra-chilled way. It will feel like magic!

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Focus on the temperature in your body, not the house -

From sipping iced drinks to applying a cold cloth to strong-pulsed areas like your neck and wrists, cooling yourself from the inside out is not a bad idea.

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Focus on the temperature in your body, not the house -

Be smart about your clothing choices by wearing light and breathable fabrics. Another trick is keeping a bowl of cool water by your bed to dip your feet when you feel warm at night.

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Heat-proof your bed -

There are some tricks you can try to heat-proof your bed. Fill a water bottle and put it in the freezer before placing it at the foot of your bed. You can also slightly dampen your sheets or pop them in the freezer before bedtime.

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Set up your fan in the right place -

Because fans merely keep air moving around, rather than actually cooling the air, it's best to place them on the cooler spots of your home.

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Ditch the incandescent lights -

Incandescent bulbs waste an estimated 90% of their energy in the heat they emit, so switching to compact fluorescent lamps will make a big difference.

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Sleep low -

Heat rises, so hit the downstairs couch or basement to sleep. You can also put your mattress on the floor if the air feels cooler down there.

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Hack your windows -

To create a cooling pressure current, open the top section of windows on the downwind side of your house, and open the bottom section of windows on the upwind side.

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Hack your windows -

Also consider facing a box fan out one window to push hot air out. You can also try wetting a sheet, then hanging it in front the open window like a curtain for a nice breeze.

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Start grilling -

Using your oven or stove in the summer will make your house hotter. So head on out and get your grill going! Plus, you'll get to enjoy being outdoors as well.

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Strip in the cool -

Similar to insulation, weather stripping can also help keep cool air from escaping through doors and windows. It's inexpensive and doesn't take much time to install.

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Turn on your bathroom fans -

This also includes the exhaust fan in your kitchen. Both pull the hot air that rises after you cook or take a steamy shower out of your home.

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Install a whole-house fan -

Also called attic fans, they push hot air out through attic vents while pulling in cooler air from open windows and doors. Whole-house fans also use a fraction of the electricity that an air conditioner does, so it will help cut down on energy bills.

Sources: (HuffPost) (Reader's Digest) 

See also: Why cities are so hot

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