5 Hacks To Help You Beat The Heat This Summer

No, it's not your imagination—it definitely is getting hotter. But staying cool this summer doesn't necessarily mean you have to pay a fortune to keep the air-conditioning running day and night. These affordable DIY upgrades will keep you comfortable and cut the typical $1,000 cooling bill by as much as half. You're welcome.

Upgrade Your Thermostat

A programmable thermostat lets you preset temperatures for different times of the day, so air-conditioning is working only when you are home. The least expensive thermostat models (about $30) let you set four cycles that, unless manually overridden, repeat every day. Higher-priced models (about $50 and up) allow you to create settings for each weekday and for each weekend day. These thermostats come with complete directions and are easy to install.

Cost: $30 to $50

Benefit: Up to 20 percent off your cooling bill

RELATED: How to Install a Programmable Thermostat

Set the Dial a Bit Higher

If you have central air, set your thermostat above 78 degrees (all temperatures cited here are in degrees Fahrenheit). You'll save 5 to 8 percent on cooling costs with each degree above that mark. For a typical household, setting the thermostat at 80 degrees saves 10 to 15 percent; raising it to 85 degrees will save 35 to 55 percent.

When you leave home for more than one hour, set the thermostat to 85 or 90 degrees. Reset it upon your return, and the room will cool down in only 15 minutes. The system will use less energy during the cool-down period than if you had left it running at a lower setting while you were out.

See the typical air-conditioning settings for a programmable thermostat at different times of day here

Cost: $0

Benefit: 15 to 20 percent or more off your cooling bill

RELATED: 10 Ways to Shrink Your Energy Bills

Put in a Ceiling Fan

A fan, which costs two to five cents per hour to operate, will make a room feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler. Also, a fan works well in tandem with an air conditioner because the dehumidifying action of the air conditioner provides drier air that the fan can then move around.

In frequently used rooms, install a ceiling fan (set it to spin counterclockwise in summer). You'll save the most money by running the fan only when you're in the room. A motion-detector switch (around $20), which turns the fan on when you enter a room and off when the room is empty, is a good addition. However, if you have pets that move in and out of the room, make sure the switch can be turned off manually. Otherwise, your pets can cause the fan to run while you're away.

Cost: Ceiling fans range from $40 to $300 or more. Floor fans cost around $20, and whole-house fans run from $300 to $600.

Benefit: Ceiling fans can decrease your cooling bill by up to 15 percent, while a whole-house fan can slash it by 50 percent.

RELATED: How to Install a Ceiling Fan

Be "Texas Cool"

"Texas cool" is a morning and evening routine that takes advantage of cool outdoor temperatures at night and keeps the heat at bay as much as possible during daylight hours. It's very simple to do: At night when the temperature drops, open windows and bring in cool air with window fans or a whole-house fan. As soon as the sun comes up or the air starts to heat up, shut the windows and shades and keep doors closed.

Cost: $0 (plus minimal fan use)

Benefit: 20 to 50 percent off your cooling bill

RELATED: All About Wood Windows

Block the Sun

As much as 20 percent of summer heat enters your home as sunlight shining through windows. To cut "solar gain," add curtains or blinds to rooms that get direct sun and draw them in daylight hours. With the shades drawn, a well-insulated house will gain only 1 degree per hour when outdoor temperatures are above 85 degrees.

Pay special attention to west-facing rooms late in the day. Shades and blinds to consider include roller shades (the least expensive option), venetian-type micro-blinds, reflective curtains and insulated curtains (the most expensive, at $100 per window). Two exterior options are to install awnings or plant shade trees.

Cost: $8 to $100 per window

Benefit: Up to 20% of your cooling bill

RELATED: How to Install Window Shades

See the Rest of Our Summer Heat Hacks

Want more smart DIY ways to beat the heat this summer? Here you go. Enjoy!