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In the hot summer months, especially if you don't have air conditioning or you have to be outside, it can often be difficult to stay cool and comfortable. Keep your house cool during the day by shading from the sun and avoiding activities that heat up your home.

1 Turn off the lights at home

Incandescent bulbs, and even some LED lights, generate heat as well as lighting. Turning on lights only when necessary can keep the temperature in the room cool; alternative light sources, such as your phone's flashlight, are also an option.

• You can also unplug lights or other electronic devices that you don't use temporarily. Sometimes, even in "standby" mode, an electronic device can emit heat because it is always powered on.

2. Close the windows during the day

While this might seem counterproductive, opening windows actually allows warm air from the outside to enter the house. Close the windows as soon as the sun rises to keep the cool air inside.

• If your windows aren't locked, or you feel like air is still leaking in when you close the windows, place a towel over the gap in the window frame.

3 Block windows with sun visors or curtains

Hang up blackout drapes during the day, or put a car sun visor over the windows. After the sun rises, draw all the curtains or open the sunshade immediately to prevent the sun from shining into the room.

• The back material of car sun visors is usually bright enough to reflect sunlight, which works well with smaller windows.
• Blackout curtains can absorb the sun's rays, and larger windows work better.

4. Open the windows at night and use an electric fan to blow the air

After the sun goes down, place a large fan in front of an open window to blow cool air inside. If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on to promote air circulation in the room.

• If it is very hot at night, you can spray cool water on your body with a water bottle before going to bed, and then stand in front of a fan for a while. This will cool you down and help you fall asleep.

5 On hot days, you can use a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity

Humidity can make it feel hotter than it actually is. You can buy a basic dehumidifier for the rooms where you spend most of your time, such as the living room and bedroom. A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, making it less stuffy.

• Even if you already have a window air conditioner, a dehumidifier is useful because it removes moisture before it enters the air conditioning cycle, allowing the air conditioner to work more efficiently. If there is no dehumidifier, the air conditioner must perform cooling and dehumidification at the same time.

6. Avoid using equipment that will heat up the room

Summer is best served cold, or most meals cooked in the microwave or on an outdoor grill. Turn off stoves and ovens during their hottest hours and keep the air as cool as possible.

• If you must cook indoors, use a frying pan or a panini press, which uses less power and doesn't get as hot in the kitchen.
• Using a dishwasher in the summer can also make your home hotter. Washing dishes by hand can reduce the hot and humid air in the room.