5. Plant Shade Trees

Houzz.com: Ways to Cool Your Home Without Air Conditioning

Exercise your green thumb by planting shade trees around the house. Design associate Andrew Spiering of Terra Ferma Landscapes suggests casting shadows on the southwestern exposure of the home using large deciduous trees, like oaks, sycamores and elms. "Other ideas include increasing humidity around the home using layered planting or reducing hardscape," he says.
(Credit: Terra Ferma Landscapes)

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Ways to Cool You...

Summer heat waves have everyone looking for ways to cool down at home. Blasting the air conditioner isn't always an option, and it certainly uses a lot of energy. Instead of shelling out the big bucks to keep cool, consider several alternatives that can make a big difference.

1. Choose light-colored blinds. Installing window shades or blinds is a no-brainer. But light-colored shades tend to be more effective, since they reflect the heat back outside. Close south- and west-facing curtains during the day to further reduce heat.

Consider applying window tint too. "You have no idea how incredible the new 3M window film products are — not only for reducing heat, but also for cutting down on the UV factor that can fade your carpet and materials," says window designer and specialist Cory Jacoby of the Jacoby Company. "This should be your first line of defense."
(Credit: Eileen Kathryn Boyd)

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2. Use liners wi...

Bamboo or tightly woven shades are another good way to cut the heat. "The trick here is to install an operational liner as well that can be pulled down for sun and heat control," says Jacoby. "This is truly the best of both worlds, because you see outside through the weave when you want, and then lower the shade behind it for sun protection when necessary."
(Credit: The Old Painted Cottage)

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3. Install Ceili...

"Ceiling fans can make a room feel much cooler, since they circulate the air. And considering they can cost as low as $100, they're often an investment that is not only affordable but easy," says general contractor LuAnn Fabian.
(Credit: Rachel Greathouse)

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4. Open the Wind...

Ventilate your home on cooler days or at night to reduce any hot air that has snuck indoors. Open windows in all rooms of the house and place window fans facing out on the downwind side of your home. Make sure all interior doors are open to keep the air moving.
(Credit: Archia Homes)

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5. Plant Shade T...

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6. Allow Ivy to ...

Ivy provides a buffer between your home and the sun. "Planting a green wall or vines on the home reduces reflection and absorbs heat," says Spiering.
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7. Cover the Sou...

Install awnings on south-facing windows to make up for insufficient roof overhang and provide additional shade in the summer.
(Credit: Exteriors by Chad Robert)

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More Stay-Cool T... There are three more super simple ways to keep your house comfortable this summer without pumping the air conditioning.
(Credit: Nurit Geffen-Batim Studio)