We have already felt the temperature soar in the GTA this month, and for those that live in an apartment, it probably got pretty hot.

This was just the start of it, as the summer solstice isn’t until June 20th. If you live in an apartment and are already feeling the heat, here are 5 ways to keep your apartment cool this summer.

Use fans strategically

Fans are not meant to cool a room, but rather to cool the people in it. The positioning and placement of fans is important when it comes to keeping you cool in your apartment. Position them in such a way that they intersect, causing the air to hit you from multiple directions. To cool the air even more, place a large bowl filled with ice cubes in front of the fan. The fan will then blow across the ice, creating an air conditioning type effect.

Think about the windows

Allowing the sun to beat through the windows is a sure-fire way to cause an apartment heat up quickly. Tackle this by trying to block the sun from entering the apartment. This can be done by hanging blackout curtains or, if your property manager allows it, covering your windows with window film.

Switch the lightbulbs

Lightbulbs create heat and can add to the temperature in an apartment. Switching your lightbulbs  will help combat this. Energy-efficient lightbulbs will still create heat, but much less than compared to traditional light bulbs.

Keep the humidity down

Dehumidifiers are made to do just this, and less humidity often means your apartment will feel much cooler inside. Choose an ENERGY STAR® qualified dehumidifier to ensure that it is energy efficient.

Rethink your meals

A 400-degree oven or a hot stove can really heat things up. Rethink your meals by eating cold foods or using a microwave or slow cooker to make your meals. If you live in an apartment with a balcony or a shared outdoor space, take the cooking outdoors and fire up the BBQ on hot days.