Are you a summer lover but hate the heat? An easy-to-install water misting system can cool down the great outdoors just where you need it most—on your own porch or patio. See what's available online:

SUMMER SPRITZ Home misting systems allow you to temper the heat of summer with a little spritz. Water is pumped through mist nozzles, making tiny droplets that create a cooling effect. Public spaces such as the San Diego Zoo have used this technology to cool down visitors as they walk from exhibit to exhibit. And commercial uses range from cooling down factory work areas to subduing dust. Costs for misting systems depend on features and the area you want to cool down, but plan to spend $2,000 or more for a high-pressure installed misting system.

WATER WITHOUT WETNESS A misting system actually lowers the temperature around it—as much as 20 to 30 degrees in just seconds. And the absolutely coolest thing about a misting system is that even though liquid is pumped into the air, those sitting beneath the misting nozzles don’t feel wet—even after prolonged exposure—because the moisture dissipates into the air. The air temperature is reduced so it feels cooler—and it is!