When summer temperatures soar, keeping your home cool can feel like an uphill battle -especially if you’re living in a small space without central air. But staying comfortable doesn’t have to mean cranking up the AC (and your energy bill). With a few simple tricks and budget-friendly swaps, you can lower the indoor temperature and stay chill all season long.
Here are 14 easy and inexpensive ways to cool your home—even during the hottest days of summer.
1. Use Fans Strategically
Fans aren’t just for moving air around—they can actually help cool it, too, with a few clever tricks. One easy method is to create a DIY air conditioner by placing a bowl of ice or frozen water bottles in front of a fan. As the ice melts, the fan blows the chilled air into the room, mimicking the refreshing effect of an AC unit without the high energy cost.
For even more effective cooling, use box fans strategically in your windows. Place one fan in a window on the shaded side of your home to draw cooler air in, and another on the sunny side to push hot air out. This creates a cross-ventilation system that flushes out heat and keeps the air moving, making your space feel significantly more comfortable. These small adjustments can turn an ordinary fan into a powerful, energy-efficient cooling tool—especially helpful in apartments or homes without central AC.
Editor’s Pick: Lasko 20″ Classic Box Fan – $20.97
A budget-friendly favorite with thousands of high ratings, this classic box fan is a reliable way to boost airflow and stay cool. It features three quiet speeds, simple manual controls, and a weather-resistant motor—perfect for window use. Lightweight and portable with a built-in handle, it’s great for bedrooms, home offices, or anywhere you need extra ventilation.
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2. Set Ceiling Fans to Summer Mode
Ceiling fans can be a game changer when it comes to staying cool, but to get the most out of them during the warmer months, it’s important to make sure they’re set to summer mode. That means the blades should be spinning counterclockwise. When rotating in this direction, the fan pushes air downward, creating a refreshing breeze that enhances the wind-chill effect. This makes the room feel several degrees cooler than it actually is, allowing you to stay comfortable while potentially raising the thermostat and saving on energy costs. Most fans have a small switch near the base or motor housing to change the blade direction—just be sure to turn the fan off before adjusting it. Using fans efficiently like this is one of the easiest, low-cost ways to cool your home.
Editor’s Pick: Nicola 48″ Ceiling Fan – $146.99 $779.99
Sleek, silent, and smartly designed, the Nicola 48″ 3-Blade Ceiling Fan is a top-rated favorite for a reason. With its whisper-quiet reversible motor, minimalist matte black finish, and convenient remote control, it’s built to keep your space cool in summer and cozy in winter. The fan comes with three downrod options for customizable height and can be installed on sloped ceilings—making it a versatile fit for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas alike. It’s a powerful, energy-efficient choice that looks as good as it performs.
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3. Create a Cross-Breeze
Harness the power of natural airflow by setting up a cross-breeze in your home. This simple technique can significantly reduce indoor temperatures without relying solely on fans or air conditioning. To do this, open windows or doors on opposite sides of a room—or ideally, your entire space—during the early morning or late evening hours when the air outside is cooler. The difference in pressure pulls fresh air in from one side and pushes warm, stagnant air out the other, helping to flush out built-up heat and humidity
4. Keep Blinds and Curtains Closed
Direct sunlight streaming through your windows can quickly raise indoor temperatures, turning your home into a sweltering greenhouse. To keep the heat at bay, make it a habit to close blinds or curtains during the hottest parts of the day—especially on south- and west-facing windows, which get the most intense afternoon sun. This simple step can prevent a surprising amount of heat from building up indoors. For even better results, opt for blackout curtains or thermal drapes, which are specifically designed to insulate against heat and sunlight. These not only help keep your home cooler but can also reduce the need for air conditioning, lowering your energy bills in the process. If you like natural light, consider using sheer curtains in combination with thermal backing, so you get the brightness without the heat
Editor’s Pick: PrimeBeau Thermal Insulated 100% Blackout Curtains, 2 Panels – $28.99–$52.22
If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to keep your home cooler, PrimeBeau’s Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains are a top pick. Designed with a black liner that blocks 100% of sunlight, these thick, double-layered panels help reduce heat, glare, and outside noise—making them ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, or any sun-drenched space. Available in multiple sizes and six stylish colors (including this soft sage green), they make it easy to find the perfect fit for your windows and décor.
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5. Apply Reflective Window Film
Installing reflective or heat-reducing window film is an affordable and low-effort way to keep your home cooler. These thin, adhesive films are designed to block a significant portion of the sun’s infrared rays, which are responsible for most of the heat that enters through windows. By reducing solar heat gain, they can help maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature and ease the strain on your cooling system
Installation is typically a simple DIY project—just clean the window, cut the film to size, and apply it using the included tools. Many films are nearly invisible once installed, so you won’t have to sacrifice natural light or views. Some even offer added benefits like UV protection to prevent fading of furniture, floors, and fabrics. It’s a smart, subtle upgrade that can make a noticeable difference in how cool your home feels during the summer.
Editor’s Pick: BDF NLS70 Nano Layered Window Film
Want to keep the heat out without losing your view or natural light? The NLS70 Window Film from BDF is a favorite among reviewers for a reason. It blocks about half of the sun’s heat and nearly all UV rays, but you’d barely notice it’s there—it has a super subtle blue tint and low reflectivity. Great if you want to cool things down without making your windows look tinted. It’s easy to install yourself, comes with tools, and works well on anything from windows to patio doors.
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6. Ditch the Oven
Turning on your oven during a heatwave is like lighting a campfire in your kitchen—it raises the ambient temperature and makes it much harder to keep your home cool. Instead, embrace no-cook meals like salads, wraps, chilled soups, and fresh fruit-based dishes that don’t require any heat. If you do need to cook, reach for smaller appliances like a microwave, air fryer, toaster oven, or slow cooker, which generate far less heat than a traditional oven or stovetop.
Better yet, take your culinary efforts outside and fire up the grill. Not only does this keep the heat out of the house, but it also adds a fun, seasonal vibe to dinnertime. Making these simple shifts in how you prepare meals can significantly reduce indoor heat buildup—and make summer cooking feel a lot more enjoyable.
7. Switch to LED Bulbs
It might not seem like much, but your lighting choices can have a noticeable impact on your home’s temperature. Old-fashioned incandescent bulbs are incredibly inefficient—they release up to 90% of their energy as heat rather than light. When used throughout the home, especially during the warmer months, they can contribute to unwanted indoor warmth.
Switching to LED bulbs is a simple upgrade that pays off in multiple ways. LEDs stay cool to the touch, produce minimal heat, and use significantly less energy, which translates to lower electricity bills. They also last much longer, so you won’t have to replace them as often. By making the switch, you’re not only cooling down your space but also making your home more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
8. Unplug Heat-Producing Electronics
Many electronics continue to draw power and emit heat even when they’re in standby mode. TVs, desktop computers, game consoles, phone chargers, and kitchen gadgets can all contribute to a warmer indoor environment—especially in smaller spaces where every bit of heat makes a difference.
To keep things cooler, unplug devices you’re not actively using, or connect them to a power strip so you can switch everything off at once with ease. Not only does this reduce excess heat, but it also helps cut down on “phantom energy” use, which can quietly add to your electricity bill over time. It’s a small habit that can have a surprisingly big impact on both your comfort and your energy efficiency.
9. Hang Damp Sheets or Towels
Looking for a low-tech way to beat the heat? Try this clever trick borrowed from desert climates: hang a damp sheet or towel in front of an open window or a running fan. As the air passes through the moist fabric, the water evaporates, cooling the air naturally in the process. It’s a simple form of evaporative cooling—the same principle used in swamp coolers—and it can make a noticeable difference in how the air feels, especially in dry environments.
To make it work even better, use lightweight cotton or linen fabric and re-wet it as needed. This technique is particularly effective in the early morning or evening when there’s a breeze or temperature drop outside. It’s an easy, affordable, and surprisingly effective way to chill out without using any extra electricity.
10. Cool Down at Night
Getting quality sleep during a heatwave can be a challenge, but a few smart bedtime strategies can help you stay comfortable. One effective trick is to place a frozen water bottle, ice pack, or even a chilled rice-filled sock near your feet at bedtime. Since your feet have many blood vessels close to the surface, cooling them can help lower your overall body temperature and make it easier to fall—and stay—asleep.
Also, be mindful of your bedding. Swap out heavy comforters and synthetic fabrics for lightweight, breathable materials like bamboo, linen, or cotton percale, which promote airflow and wick away moisture. These natural fibers help regulate your temperature and prevent the sticky, restless nights that come with overheating. For an extra boost, try running a fan near the bed or using a cooling mattress pad to keep things fresh all night long.
11. Shade the Outside of Your Home
If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony, patio, or even a few window boxes, you can harness the power of plants to help cool your home naturally. Fast-growing climbers like ivy, morning glories, or clematis can be trained to grow up trellises, balcony railings, or along exterior walls, creating a lush green barrier that blocks direct sunlight and reduces heat absorption.
These leafy plants act as natural insulators, keeping walls and windows shaded and cooler throughout the day. A joint study by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the University of Reading even found that ivy is one of the most effective plant covers for reducing both building temperatures and indoor humidity levels.
Not only do these plants help regulate indoor temperatures, but they also add beauty and a calming, garden-like feel to small urban spaces. It’s an eco-friendly, affordable way to enhance your home’s comfort—while giving a boost to local biodiversity as well.
12. Shut Doors to Unused Rooms
When you’re trying to keep your home cool, every bit of chilled air counts—so make sure it stays where it’s needed most. Close the doors to unused rooms like guest bedrooms, closets, storage areas, and bathrooms during the hottest parts of the day. This prevents cool air from drifting into spaces you’re not using and helps concentrate airflow in the areas where you spend the most time.
By sealing off seldom-used spaces, you reduce the amount of square footage that needs cooling, which makes fans and air conditioners work more efficiently. It’s a simple adjustment, but one that can help your cooling efforts go further—especially in small homes or apartments where airflow tends to be limited. For an extra boost, use draft stoppers or rolled towels at the base of doors to keep the cold air exactly where you want it.
13. Turn on Exhaust Fans
Everyday activities like showering, cooking, or running the dishwasher can add a surprising amount of heat and humidity to your home. To combat this, make a habit of using your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans. These small but powerful fans are designed to pull warm, moist air out of your living space, helping to lower indoor temperatures and reduce humidity levels that can make the air feel heavier and more uncomfortable.
Turn them on during and after activities that generate heat and steam – like boiling water, baking, or taking a hot shower. If possible, leave them running for 15–20 minutes afterward to fully clear the air. It’s a simple, often overlooked trick that can make a big difference in maintaining a cooler, drier, and more comfortable home environment.
14. Stay Hydrated
While it’s important to cool your home, don’t forget that keeping your body temperature down is just as crucial – especially during heatwaves. One of the easiest ways to do this is by sipping cold water regularly throughout the day. Staying hydrated helps your body regulate its internal temperature and can prevent symptoms of heat exhaustion like fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.
For an extra cooling boost, try soaking your feet in a basin of cold water in the evening. Your feet have many blood vessels close to the surface, so cooling them can help lower your entire body temperature quickly and effectively. You can also use a cool, damp washcloth on your neck, wrists, or forehead for instant relief. These small, simple rituals can be surprisingly effective in helping you feel refreshed and comfortable—even when the heat outside is relentless.
