Keeping it cooler

[pomtzu]

Putting a fan in the window so it blows the hot air out and hopefully draws the cooler air from the lower regions of the dwelling, even if you are in an apartment.

It's central air in a single family dwelling - all windows stay closed - otherwise you are totally defeating running it in the first place. Kinda like trying to keep things in the fridge cool with the door left open.

Draw all blinds/shades/shutters. Keep them closed. It serves dual purposes- keeps out the heat and keeps the house darker- which seems to feel cooler to me.

Drink lots of fluids (your choice...but I suggest chilled white wine).

Walk around nekkid. LOL.

Yup - already do the blinds things. Naked - oh my - wouldn't want to scare the dogs!!! Now chilled white wine is doable......

I live near Dallas, so I feel your pain....will be 98 today, I think....We had to get a new AC unit three summers ago, and just paid it off!! They are very expensive!! Last summer, we found out our city would give a rebate if you got new insulation. We've lived in our house for 15 years, and we had not a clue if new insulation had ever been put in the attic or not...well, we did....it cost us $900 but we got a $300 dollar credit on our next utility bill. I think it has helped tremendously with the energy costs....We'll see for sure when I get my next bill because this has been a hotter summer than last. New insulation is a lot cheaper than a new AC unit....

Same temps here - YUK!
Three years ago we put an addition on the house, and a new roof on the existing structure. I swear that the contractor hosed up on the insulation when he did the roof, since it seems to be worse since then. The addition is much cooler as it has it's own heat (cool) pump in that section.