This $10 DIY Could Help Cool Your Home Instantly

With a heat wave sweeping much of the U.S. right now, scorching temperatures can feel inescapable. That’s especially true if you don’t have air conditioning through either a central air conditioning system or a window air conditioning unit. Otherwise, you’ll have to make do with low-tech hacks for keeping cool.

When it comes to cooling down inside air, strategically placed fans can help (especially ice fans). But one way to effectively combat the heat is to prevent it from warming up your home in the first place by blocking out the sun. Blackout curtains do a great job, but they can make your space look dark and heavy. Instead, it’s worth trying out a UV-blocking window film, which helps minimize direct sunlight and extra heat in a space.

There are plenty of options for UV-blocking window films online, but this one in particular caught my eye with its iridescent finish and relatively versatile mosaic pattern. Unlike hanging curtains, installing this window film is nearly tool-free. The most important thing to have is a sharp utility or craft knife for trimming it to size.

As with blackout curtains, window film provides some much-needed privacy; unlike blackout curtains, it can also let in some light, too, which is great for spaces that otherwise feel too dark or gloomy. That’s why in areas of the country where the temperature is in the triple digits, a UV-blocking window film might not be enough to cool a room on its own (though it’s still worth a try). But paired with blackout curtains, it can do a surprisingly good job at reducing the amount of sun, and therefore heat, that sneaks inside.

The other benefit this window film has over curtains is how affordable it is — just $9.99 for a little under 100 square feet, meaning you can use it on multiple windows before needing another roll. Considering blackout curtains cost more than that per panel, it’s an ultra-affordable way to make your home feel a little less miserable in summertime.