Shading

Shade windows, doors and even walls that get a lot of sun. Play close attention to East, South And West exposed windows and doors. Keep the sun/heat out of the building. Once heat enters your building you and your Air-conditioner or fans must deal with its effects.
Shading windows and doors from the outside works more than twice as effective as shades on the inside.
A hard and fast fact. If heat cannot get in you do not have to deal with its effects!. In-other words your AC unit and you do not have to work as hard to stay comfortable.
Natural shading can play a large part in assisting keeping your home cooler in the summer. As the vast majority of homes are NOT Energy efficient it is sometimes cheaper to us, Trees, Vines, and shrubs to shade the outside of your home.
Shading of windows and doors can be a major factor in reducing heat entering your home. Basic shading devices are screens, made of solar material, or bamboo. Awnings that shade a door or window. Outside shutters and like products.
NOTE: Some newer windows have enclosed interior shades that combine a outside shade and a inside shade that is placed between the insulated glass of a door or window. In most studies, these prove to be quite efficient in blocking heat gain in the summer.
For shading inside the usual products are recommended, Blinds, Curtains, and pull shades. Note: If heat enters your AC unit must still handle it even though you may not directly feel the heat.Shading and ventilation to keep cool is NOT NEW science. One of the best examples of using natural ventilation (air current movement) and shading is the Gila Cliff Dwellings. This ancient community in New Mexico believed to be about 700 years old used natural shading of the cliffs and air currents to cool them. Older homes prior to the invention Air-conditioning used high ceilings and cross ventilation to cool the home. This was accomplished by installing air-flow openings over all interior doors that could be opened or closed as needed. Later devices such as a “the whole house fan” were used and is STILL one of the least expensive was to cool a home at certain times of the year.

Ventilation

To use natural ventilation Open shaded windows or doors on one side of the home and open windows or doors on the opposite side to allow the air to flow through the home. Depending on were you live and home design this may take some experimentation to see what combination works best for your situation. Normally any opposite sided windows or doors performs best. This will work extremely well if your location has a prevailing wind that can be used.Other things that can be done are:1.Dress in light, loose, comfortable clothing.
2.Eat meals that require little heat in preparing and are light in nature.
3.Use a cool cloth or shower to cool down.
4.As moving air cools the body consider using portable fans to move the air where you are at in the home.
Note: A simple box or oscillating fan uses about 1 kilo-watt of power for 8 hours. On the average that is about $.09 (9 cents). This figure will be whatever your kilo-watt rate is at your location.
5. If possible cook outdoor.
6 Do any cooking, baking, or laundry in the morning or late evening.
7. Dry cloths outside (where allowed)
8. Look for any unneeded heat sources and reduce or eliminate them as you can. A small change can go along way on keeping cool and saving on utility bills.
9. Check your AC unit. If it is on the East West, or South side ensure that it is shaded from the sun. This will assist the units operation.