During the hot, humid summer days you just want to hang around in cottons and consume lots of water. But at times even these fail to give you respite. You can try to keep your home cool. Operating the air-conditioner all day is not a solution, it would only result in long electricity bills at the end of the month.

Sometimes, conventional wisdom can do the trick. First of all, implement economical conservation measures by getting a wooden shade or blind for the east and west windows. Get a tranquilitreen room divider, which is easily movable and you can shift them to either side of room as required. The one on the left side of the screen has adjustable blinds in each panel. So, you can also modify the amount of light you want to allow in the room.

Ceiling fans should be placed to enhance comfort levels. A black ceiling fan looks attractive and provides the much required air flow. You can switch off the thermostat after the house becomes relatively cool and use the fan instead. Consider these factors before placing a ceiling fan-

• Bigger rooms require ceiling fans with higher revolutions per minute (rpm) to move the air around effectively
• Fan blade sizes for larger rooms should be about 45-50 inches and about 30-45 inches for smaller ones
• Use multiple fans to create a circulatory pattern

Use natural materials for beds and mattresses. Opt for bed in-a-bag styles in earthy or light colored shades during summer months. Colors like beige, cream and white absorb lesser heat and thus, keep the bed cooler. The set comprises of a comforter, bed skirt, one flat sheet, two standard shams and pillow cases.