Staying cool in Summer is a challenge, almost no matter where you live and for some, it is a constant, months long challenge.

By using these really simple tips, though, you can greatly reduce the temperature in your house and delay or even avoid running your electricity hogging air conditioner.

Keeping Your House Cool Tip #1 – Dehumidify

Not all 100 degree weather is created equal. I’m from Southern California where the blistering heat can be relentless, not to mention the drought, although it was a dry heat. I now reside on the coast of South Carolina where you can never get dry after taking a shower (literally), and I find myself missing those 105 degree temperatures compared to the 95 here. Call me crazy but it’s hotter here. If you live in an area with dry heat your body perspires, your sweat evaporates, and you cool off, just the way nature intended. If you live in an area with lots of humidity (which I do) you sweat and it doesn’t evaporate. Instead it soaks your clothes leaving you feeling hot, wet, sticky, and miserable.

For personal comfort in high humidity:

• wear loose cotton or other natural fabric that breathes
• purchase a dehumidifier

A dehumidifier helps remove excess moisture from the air which leaves you feeling cooler even in hot temperatures. You can find a dehumidifier at most big box stores; Craigslist, classifieds, and online.

Keeping Your House Cool Tip #2 – Unplug

Everything you plug into a socket produces heat. Unplug all unnecessary appliances or electronics when not in use. Even those little red glowing lights that stare at you in the middle of the night indicating the item is turned off drain energy and produce heat. Turning something off is not enough – unplug.

Keeping Your House Cool Tip #3 – Use Natural Light and High Efficiency Lighting

Take advantage of daylighting or use energy efficient light bulbs, such as LEDs, in your high use areas. A traditional 1oo watt light bulb can increase the heat by 11 degrees per hour in a small room.
Some utilities offer rebates on LED lightbulbs, making them more affordable. You can view a list of LED rebates by region and bulbs that qualify for rebates at LED Light Bulb Rebates | ENERGY STAR LED Rebates.

Keeping Your House Cool Tip #4 – Don’t Cook

Try not to cook (inside). During the summer months, try to pre-plan meals so that you don’t need to use the oven during the day. Either cook on the grill, in a microwave, or in a crock pot. If you have to use the oven, try to cook your meal before noon or after the heat of the day. I would suggest around 4 pm.

Keeping Your House Cool Tip #5 – Don’t Let the Sun Shine In

“Let the Sun Shine In” is a cute song for children, but not helpful for keeping your home cool. Close your blinds from late morning until early evening. This simple act can save you 10-15 degrees.
You can purchase blackout shades, use window tint film on your windows (easy to install), or good blinds. If covering your windows during the day makes it too dark, you can lower the top of your shades 6″ from the top of the window to let light in but not the heat.

I live in an area of the country where the winters are very cold and the summers have at least a couple of months of 90 degree weather with a good deal of humidity.

That means I only run my air conditioner on the rare days the temperature exceeds the mid 90's.

If you are in the same situation, these tips are amazingly simple, but effective. If you live in a warmer climate, these might still help or you can check out more tips over at Common Sense Homesteading.