Do It Yourself

Hello!

I am somewhat handy, but I'm also pretty disabled so I (physically) can't do much.

What are some smaller things I can do to keep my house cooler this summer?

• I live in the South (of the USA)
• Summer temps are usually around 90-100F (32.2-37.8C), with heat index reaching 115+F (46.1+C)
• My house is 2 story and approximately 1,895 sq ft (176.05 sq m). No basement and the attic is unfinished. Attached garage. Front of house faces the north.
• House was built in the 70s. Roof (shingles) is a few years old (3-5 yrs), windows are around 10 years old. Not sure when the insulation was done. Blackout or near blackout curtains on every window. Mostly hard floors throughout with some throw rugs, but two rooms and the stairs have short fiber carpet.
• House is brick and wood. The bottom floor is brick on the outside and the top floor has wooden siding. Central heat and a/c. Covered patio in the rear and no porch in the front. No shade trees close enough to matter.
• All utilities are electric so naturally our bill SUCKS this month.
• We have ceiling fans in every room except the bathrooms. We also have tower fans, desk fans, and personal fans (lol)
• We currently have the AC on 75F (23.9C), but it is regularly 80F (26.7C) or higher upstairs. Tbh the AC is the wrong size(?) for the house.
• I cannot put anything (like foil) in the windows

What are some small things I can do to keep my house cooler without breaking the bank? I'm mainly worried about the bedrooms.

Things I have done so far to stay cooler:

• Towels at front and back door to reduce any leakage
• Lots of ice packs
• Adjust ceiling fans to go the right way
• Use portable fans
• Avoid using the oven
• Keep curtains (and windows) shut
• Wear cooler clothes
• Shorten my dog's allotted outside time

Thanks!