It’s hot. It’s been hot for all of July so far. There will most likely be more hot days to come. Yes, I’m stating the obvious. Now for the shocker: I love it.

Backyard BBQ’s, trips to the beach, cold drinks on the patio – all my favourite things about the season.

But, there is one time I don’t like the heat…at night. I mean, I like my bedroom hot and all, but not in a temperature kind of way. Tossing and turning and sweating – no thanks. So, if you’re like me and you don’t have air conditioning, here are a few tips to cool down your bedroom (or your whole place) with strategically placed fans.

Consider a good old fashioned fan. They don’t cost much to buy or use, and are a more eco-friendly alternative to boot. Here’s how to make sure you’re using yours right.

Though it may seem counterintuitive, it’s actually best to position your fan in a window, facing out. This helps air flow through the room—which keeps it cool in the process. Since hot air rises, you want to put the fan as high as possible. Close the window around the fan to avoid air getting sucked back in.

To maximize air flow, if you’ve got two windows that face each other in a room, place one fan facing out (pick the side of the room that’s warmer or sunnier, and position the fan as high up as possible), and the other fan facing inward (on the cooler or shadier side, and placed as low as you can).

More cool tips here.