Ceiling Fans Use a ceiling fan as another inexpensive means of cooling yourself in your home and get a decorative item as well. Like portable fans, ceiling units move the air across the perspiration on your skin, causing it to evaporate and cool you. Remember that fans do not cool homes, only people, so if you're in a room with a fan, turn it on, but remember to turn it off when leaving the room. By using fans you can also raise your thermostat 2-3 degrees, lower your power bill and remain cool. Evaporative Coolers Use an evaporative cooler to reduce the need for your air conditioner.
Evaporative coolers cool and humidify by blowing air across wet pads.
Evaporative coolers cost just 5 to 10 cents an hour to operate versus 25 to 50 cents an hour to run an air conditioner. Evaporative coolers work best in warm, dry weather, so you will probably still want to use your air conditioner in July and August or during humid days. By using an evaporative cooler, you may be able to cut the use of your air conditioner from five or six months a year to just two. Imagine how much money that could save. By using fans and an evaporative cooler to supplement your air conditioner you can save money and extend the life of your air conditioner.