13 inventive, free or low-cost ways to cool your home this summer
Whether you don't have air conditioning, are concerned about your carbon footprint or you're looking to cut costs, there are plenty of ways to cool down this summer at low-cost -- or at no cost at all!
One of the most overlooked ways to cool your apartment or house lies in your ceiling fan settings, which should be adjusted each season to optimize its capacity. Most models have a "clockwise" setting and "counter-clockwise" setting that actually make a huge difference. Counter-clockwise is best for summer months because it creates a wind-chill effect.
That's not all -- for those with a green thumb, planting vines or climbers can reduce temperatures of a building by as much as 50 percent, according to TreeHugger -- and they're great for your curb appeal, too.
Click through the slideshow below to learn more fun tips and tricks for keeping cool this summer:
