As a Florida native, I grew up in this humidity and know firsthand that you don’t have to suffer just because you’re trying to keep your electric bill from skyrocketing. While it already feels like 103 degrees outside, you don’t need to blast the AC at a frosty low to stay comfortable—we’ve mastered plenty of cheap, battle-tested tricks to beat the summer heat without breaking the bank!
Check out our list of free and cheap things to do with kids this summer!
1. Acclimate Your Body
It may sound like a contradiction, but when the temperatures start to rise, one of the best (and most frugal) ways to stay cool is to allow yourself to acclimate. Don’t set your thermostat for more than 20 degrees below the outside temperature.
If it’s 90 degrees outside, make sure your indoor temp is no less than 70 degrees. Even better, aim for 15 degrees cooler than it is outside. You’ll find your body will soon adjust, and you’ll feel quite comfortable at a warmer room temp.
🛍️ Amazon Deal Hunt: Keep an eye on your home’s actual humidity and temperature mapping with a Smart Programmable Thermostat or a cheap Digital Indoor Thermometer to optimize your AC run times.
2. Wear Lightweight Clothing
Another super simple way to help your body stay cool is to choose lightweight, natural fabrics. Even layered, thin cotton or bamboo fabric in roomy cuts will keep you cool and comfortable.
Also, lean toward lighter colors so if you do sweat it won’t be as obvious, and the thin fabric will dry quickly. A bonus: lightweight fabrics launder quickly and won’t use as much energy to dry.
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3. Stay Hydrated
This may seem obvious, but staying hydrated is another really important step in staying cool when it’s hot outside. Skip the designer waters and convenience store drinks.
Keep a pitcher of filtered water in the refrigerator, and carry a reusable bottle with you so that you’ll always have a cold drink on hand. Staying hydrated will help your body temperature regulate, and you’ll also feel much better when you’re out in the heat.
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4. Utilize Energy Efficient Curtains
One way to save money while keeping your house cool is to use energy efficient curtains or drapes to keep out most of the sun’s scorching heat! Don’t worry—you won’t need to live in a cave all day. In fact, it’s a great idea to throw open the windows and let the cool breezes in once the sun sets.
In the morning, make sure to close the windows and cover those that get the most sun with heavy drapes or even a blanket. Your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard, and you’ll be able to pocket the difference in your electric bill.
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5. Choose a Cook Day
Choose one day to cook up meat for tacos, bake a chicken, and prep a casserole or two. I like to cook several things at once, then for the rest of the week, you can quickly heat your meal in a microwave or stovetop, saving time and money. Also, you might find that lighter fare like salads and smoothies are more appealing in the heat.
Look into counter appliances that don’t radiate heat like a traditional range oven. Our favorite workaround is using an Air Fryer to cook full meals quickly without heating up the entire kitchen!
🛍️ Amazon Deal Hunt: Look for deals on countertop savers like a Digital Air Fryer, a programmable Slow Cooker, or stackable Glass Meal Prep Containers.
6. Get Out of the House
On really hot days, it may seem that no matter what you do, you can’t keep your house cool enough. Instead of breaking the bank by cranking up your own AC, use this as an opportunity to get out of the house and take advantage of free or cheap public places with commercial cooling.
Chill out in the library and read a book or check out our guide to getting free magazine subscriptions. Find a dollar theater in your area to catch some flicks for only a few bucks, or head out to window shop at Target or the local mall.
Remember to bring your refillable water bottle along, and plan your outing between snacks and meals so you won’t be tempted to spend money eating out.
7. Reset with a Cool Shower
Finally, if you find yourself warm, sweaty, and a little cranky from the heat at the end of the day, use this routine to bring down your core temperature before getting into bed. There’s nothing better than a cool bath or shower to soothe and refresh yourself so you can relax into a deep sleep.
Start with lukewarm water so that you don’t shock your nervous system, and then slowly turn the temperature down as you adjust. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel after just a few minutes!
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8. Flip Your Ceiling Fan Direction
A shocking number of people don’t realize that their ceiling fans have a tiny toggle switch on the motor housing that completely changes how air moves through the room. Running your fan the wrong way during the summer just traps hot air at the ceiling and pushes it down on you!
In the summer, your fan blades need to rotate counterclockwise at a medium to high speed. This direction creates a direct, straight-down breeze that produces a “wind chill” effect on your skin, making the room feel up to 4 degrees cooler than it actually is without running your AC harder.
🛍️ Amazon Deal Hunt: If your current setup is outdated or missing a convenient way to adjust speeds, check out hot deals on a budget-friendly Ceiling Fan with Remote or grab a portable Oscillating Table Fan for your desk.
9. Build a “Poor Man’s AC” Ice Fan
If you are working in a home office or trying to relax in a single room, you don’t need to drop the thermostat for the entire house. You can create a highly effective makeshift air conditioner using an ordinary fan and a quick trip to your kitchen freezer.
Take a shallow bowl, baking pan, or a couple of frozen gallon milk jugs and pack them with ice. Position the ice directly in front of a standard floor or table fan so the air blows right across it. The air picking up the freezing surface temperature creates a wonderfully crisp, cold mist that cools your immediate personal space instantly.
🛍️ Amazon Deal Hunt: For maximum airflow to make this hack work beautifully, stack digital coupons on a powerful High-Velocity Floor Fan or a compact personal desk fan.
10. Ditch Incandescent Light Bulbs
Traditional incandescent light bulbs are incredibly inefficient. In fact, roughly 90% of the energy they consume is wasted and released as pure heat rather than actual light. If you have several of these running in enclosed spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, or bedrooms, you are essentially running tiny space heaters all day long.
Swapping those old bulbs out for modern LEDs will instantly lower the ambient temperature of your rooms. As a major bonus, they use a fraction of the power, drop your baseline electric bill, and last for years without needing a replacement.
🛍️ Amazon Deal Hunt: Grab a cheap stock-up box by keeping an eye out for flash savings on a Multi-Pack of LED Light Bulbs to swap out your whole house on a budget.
11. Swap to Breathable Cotton Bedding
Trying to fall asleep when you are hot and sticky is the absolute worst. If you are using cheap microfiber or polyester sheets, they are actively trapping your natural body heat against your skin like a greenhouse.
Switch your bedding over to 100% percale cotton or bamboo sheets for the summer months. These fabrics are naturally crisp, lightweight, and highly breathable, allowing air to circulate while you sleep. For an extreme heatwave hack: pop your pillowcases into a clean plastic bag and drop them in the freezer for 15 minutes right before bed for an incredibly refreshing place to rest your head!
🛍️ Amazon Deal Hunt: Upgrade your bedroom comfort with deep discounts on Cooling Cotton Percale Sheets or a set of moisture-wicking Bamboo Cooling Pillowcases.
While it’s never fun to endure the dog days of summer, utilizing these frugal tips will help you keep cool and comfortable without blowing your budget. Do you have a favorite backyard or household trick to beat the heat? Let us know in the comments below!
🍉 Looking for more smart ways to slash your utility costs this season? Check out our comprehensive guide to Daily Hot Deals & Freebies to keep your household budget completely on track!
