8 Ways to Ways To Keep Your Home Cool Without Air Conditioning

Summertime has arrived in the stateline and so have the higher temperatures and increased humidity. When this occurs, your house or apartment can feel quite uncomfortable.

It's very tempting to reach for your thermostat and crank up the AC to cool down your residence. Of course, you'll pay for that later when the electric bill arrives.

Here are eight simple ways to cool down this summer that will be easy on your budget.

1. Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise. I went half of my life without knowing this. It's true, you need to adjust your the direction in which your ceiling fan rotates, based on the season. Set them to turn counter-clockwise in the summer at mid to high speed. The airflow produced will create a wind-chill breeze effect that will make you feel cooler. In the winter, set your fans to rotate at a slower speed, clockwise.

2. Keep your blinds closed. Ahhh, the dreaded sun. Prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse. According to the Family Handyman, up to 30 percent of unwanted heat comes from your windows. If you utilize shades, and curtains, especially on the west and South sides of your home, you can save you up to seven percent on your bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees.

3. Close off unused rooms in your home. It's obvious, if a room is not being used, shut the blinds, and close off the door. You will prevent the cool air from flowing into those areas not being used.

4. Turn on your bathroom fans and the exhaust fan in the kitchen. Family Handyman says both of these will pull the hot air that rises after you cook or take a steamy shower out of your home or apartment.

5. Get rid of your incandescent lights. Besides, they are very expensive to buy anyway. Switch to CFLs or LED's. They last longer and they operate much cooler. Did you know that incandescent bulbs waste about 90 percent of their energy in the heat they emit?

6. Swap your sheets. Bet you didn't think of this. Changing your bedding seasonally is a good way to keep your bedroom cool. Flannel sheets and fleece blankets are great for winter as they provide insulation. In the summer change to cotton which will breathe easier and you will stay cooler. Also consider buying a buckwheat pillow. These pillows are constructed with a naturally occurring air space between them. Hence they won't retain body heat like conventional pillows.

7. Let the night air in. I love it when you get a cool summer night. Use this to your advantage. Most of the time, temperatures will often drop during the night. Place a fan in the window another room. Set the fan to blow the air out. Open your bedroom window and allow the cool air to waft on in. Don't forget to close the windows before things get too hot in the morning.

8. Don't wear socks at night. They are great in the winter, but for me the moment I remove my socks, I cool down instantly.

Also, for those of you who sleep with a partner, tell your partner you won't be cuddling until the leaves start changing color.