As the summer heat wave intensifies, many of us are looking for ways to stay cool without breaking the bank. If your air conditioning goes out, don’t sweat it. There are several DIY hacks that can help you beat the heat.

DIY Air Conditioner

You can make a makeshift air conditioner using common household items. This simple device can provide a focused blast of ice-chilled air to help cool you down.

Additionally, there are other heat-mitigating measures you can take. For example, using window treatments to block the sun’s rays can reduce the temperature by 10 to 15 degrees. If you don’t have window treatments, you can use common household items to deflect the sun’s rays.

Fan Direction Matters

Did you know that the direction of your ceiling fan can make a difference in keeping you cool? In the summer months, your fan should spin counterclockwise to push cool air down to the floor, creating a wind-chill effect.

It’s also important to consider the humidity level in your home. If your air conditioner is functioning fine but isn’t sufficiently staving off seasonal saturation of the air, it might be due to the setting of your whole-house humidifier. Adjusting the humidifier setting can help keep your home cool and comfortable.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.