Use the architecture
Hot air tends to rise, so take a look at your home’s architecture and see how you can use it to your advantage. “Shotgun” houses (like the one in the picture), for example, have a floor plan which creates cross-breeze that helps cool the rooms inside as long as you open the door (leave the screen door closed, of course) and open the windows.
A house that has a wraparound porch will also be cooler than one that doesn’t. This kind of porch usually absorbs most of the heat while keeping the living area in the center a few degrees cooler. Also, if your house has an attic, clear the clutter and blocked vents in there to allow better circulation.
Mind the drapes
Keep direct sunlight away from your windows to prevent them from heating your house. You can do that with blackout shades on the windows that face the sun. The ones that don’t face direct sunlight can stay curtain-free if you like. You can also just use warm color curtains (yellow, orange, red), which will help deflect the warmth coming from direct sunlight. Window tints can also help.
Get your greens
Grow some plants at home and place them by your windows. This practice serves two purposes — blocking some sunlight, and eliminating some humidity. The best plants to help you achieve those goals are the ones that don’t need to be watered often (succulents, aloe vera, cacti, air plants, etc.)
Use strategically placed fans
Fans move air, rather than cooling it. Once you understand the concept, you can use fans a lot more efficiently. Start by positioning a fan facing out of your open window and crank it all the way up. This will suck the hot air out of the room it’s placed in. You should also invest in a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan that turns counterclockwise pulled hot air up, leaving you nice and cool.
