Every year, we prepare our homes for the intrusion of summer. Some of us welcome the rising temperatures summer brings with open arms, and air conditioners. Then there are those of us who start sweating before the thermatore starts to climb with the very thought of rising temperatures. But, don't sweat it. If air conditioning isn't an option this summer, there are still ways to stay cool.

Start in the mornings, have breakfast or brunch outdoors in the cool crisp air. If you have kids, this is prime playing time, before the day reaches it's heat peek for the day. Shut all your windows and pull down your blinds. You want to avoid allowing the sun to beat into the house, especially on the south and west sides of your home where the sun beats most.

Switch on all your ceiling fans, if you don't have them, I encourage you to get at least one. The use of ceiling fans can significantly cool your house by 6 to 7 degrees, and since they circulate the air it may feel even cooler directly beneath the fan. Even the most high powered fan will cost you ten dollars or less a month to run around the clock. A drop in the bucket compared to the cost of running an air conditioner.

Avoid heating up your kitchen during the day. Consider grilling outside or preparing cold meals like fruit, vegetables, and cold cuts. If you need to bake, wait until evenings when you can open the windows and allow the cool air inside the house. Cook meals a day ahead of time, and warm them up as they are needed. Or prepare your meal early during the morning and set it up in the crock-pot to cook all day while your at work. Remember to run your exhaust fan above your stove whenever you have to cook at the stove top and keep the hot steam from heating up the kitchen.

Try to avoid running your cloths dryer during the day. Hang your clothes outside on a line. If you have no other choice, but to run the dryer, wait until early in the morning or late in the evenings. Running the dryer will, no doubt, add unwanted heat to your house in summer.

Since we are thinking outside the house. Consider plant trees on the south and west sides of your home. The shade they provide in the summer will help keep your home a few degrees cooler. It is believed you could save an estimated $100 a year or more on heat and cooling cost by this simple task. The leaves fall off in the winter to allow the sun to add heat when you need it.

When it is too hot to go outside consider these options:

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