We all like to feel cool and comfortable at home, but it's all too easy to harm the environment in our efforts to reduce the temperature. Used inefficiently, electric fans and air conditioning units can use up huge amounts of energy, which means bigger bills for you and more damage to the planet as fossil fuels are used up.

There are a few simple methods which can make a big difference to how cool the air inside your home is, without you needing to spend a penny. Read on for more information on these, as well as advice on purchasing an eco-friendly air conditioning unit for days when other methods aren't cutting it.

Close blinds during the day

Much of the excess heat in your home on sunny days is caused by the greenhouse effect. Sunlight shining through glass creates heat which becomes trapped inside your home, causing it to get uncomfortably hot fast. Keeping curtains and blinds closed will help to prevent this, and often makes a really big difference, particularly in rooms with large windows that get a lot of sun during the day. Choose blinds in light colours for the best results — these will reflect the sun's rays, rather than absorbing them.

Open windows and doors

Opening windows and doors to let fresh, cool air into your home is another really effective method of keeping things cool. This technique is especially effective in the evening, after the sun has set. As well as feeling cooler, you'll also benefit from plenty of clean, fresh air, making your home feel less stuffy. You can use a fan to maximize the effects of this method — point it out of an upstairs window to push hot air out and allow more cool air to come in. 

Install eco-friendly air conditioning

Look out for air conditioning units marked 'eco-friendly' when shopping. These units use inverter technology to alter the speed of fans and compressors according to the current temperature. This means that the unit won't waste energy by running at full capacity when it's not necessary. Old style fixed speed units can waste a huge amount of energy this way, which is bad for the planet and your wallet. You should also look for systems with the highest energy efficiency rating — these usually cost a little more but will be cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly in the long term.