It's summertime . . . and the living is hot! Although your first response to rising temps may be to crank up the air conditioning, there are a number of attractive alternatives that will also save you money.

ATTACH AWNINGS Beautiful and functional, outdoor awnings add a sporty look to any home. Custom-made weatherproof cloth awnings (on aluminum frames) can add a complementary color to your home’s exterior. Wood awnings are also an option. Install awnings on east-, south-, and west-facing windows.

ADD SUN SCREENS Block the sun’s rays and reduce the internal temperature in your home by covering windows that receive direct sunlight with outdoor screens. Try bamboo or wood slats for a tropical look. For easy maintenance, try fiberglass or polypropylene which are easy to clean. Double the impact by shading on the inside of your home as well. Simple shades or curtains will do the trick. For more assertive sun-screening, you can deflect the sun’s rays with shades featuring a shiny outer surface.

BE A FAN OF FANS To feel cooler indoors, keep the airflow moving in your home. A whole-house fan in the ceiling just below the attic draws cool air in through open windows at night and pushes hot air out through attic vents. Ceiling fans keep the air flowing in individual rooms.

GO AHEAD AND VENT Hot air rises, so let it out at the top of the room through an opening skylight. You can buy skylights with tinted glass to cut down on solar heat gain.

INSULATE YOUR ATTIC For hot summers (and cool winters) consider installing a radiant barrier, a layer of foil to deflect radiant heat. Radiant barriers do not replace the need for other insulation.

CHOOSE SUNBLOCK If you’re installing new windows, your best defense against the sun is heat-reflecting or low-emissivity windows. These windows contain a thin film sealed inside double-pane glass designed to slow heat absorption in summer and heat loss in winter. To block the rays on existing windows, add window tints. This type of window film absorbs solar radiation. Another option, reflective film, reflects the sun’s rays and is more transparent than window tint. Install the type best suited to the climate in which you live. Films remain on windows year-round. Both should last at least 10 years.