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With summer temperatures already climbing in most parts of the country, it's a good idea to get in the know about how to keep your house cool."When you get home after a hot day in the office, the last thing you want is to step inside a warm house," says Stephen Jury from home improvement company Plentific. "Before extreme measures of air conditioning are taken, other smaller and considerably cheaper options are available."It pays to try out some clever tips and tricks that can help to make your home a cooler and more comfortable environment – all without breaking the bank.Follow these expert tips so you can enjoy a fresh, cool home this summer:1. Install insulationInsulation will not only keep houses warm in the winter by preventing heat from escaping the building, but is also great at stopping heat from entering your home. Insulation within the walls, loft or roof will prevent the passage of heat, which is perfect for regulating your property's internal temperature. If you do not have insulation in your home already, the best place to begin is in the loft. The materials of most roofs absorb heat and transfer it to the space underneath and therefore heat the home. If you insulate your loft, however, the heat is contained in the attic, allowing the lower rooms to be cooler. – Plentific2. Tree and ivy plantingShade is one of the key ways to keep your home environment cooler this summer. This can be achieved by planting trees in your garden, or by growing a seasonal creeping plant, such as ivy, over a pergola or trellis. Not only will this provide some cool escapes within your garden, but will boost the attractiveness of the outdoor space. – Plentific3. Make an ice fanNot even an air conditioner can give off a faux sea breeze, but this simple trick can. Fill a mixing bowl with ice (or something equally cold, like an ice pack), and position it at an angle in front of a large fan. When the ice melts, the breeze from the fan picks up the cool air coming from the ice's surface, creating a nice cool mist. – Duette4. Get cooking outsideThere's nothing quite like cooking up a big family dinner over a hot stove on a roasting summer's day. It's unpleasant to say the least, and will only increase the heat of your home. The best thing to do is cook outside. Having a BBQ is fun, perfect for summer and allows your home the chance to stay cooler, without added kitchen warmth. If you wanted to take outdoor cooking to the next level, you could even build an outdoor kitchen. – Plentific4. Paint it whiteThe best color to encourage coolness in the home is white. It reflects the heat rather than absorbs it, which is exactly why a lot of properties in hot Mediterranean countries are painted white. If you can't get round to painting your outside walls white, you could just paint your roof or even book a reflective roof installation service. White curtains and blinds will also help in reflecting heat from the property. – Plentific5. Get smart with beddingSwitching your sheets to cotton during the summer months is a great idea, as this breathable material stays cooler than satin, silk or polyester options. – Duette6. Don't forget doorsClose off unused rooms to prevent warm air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day. Capitalize on the cooler night hours by allowing air to flow naturally through your home. – Duette7. Turn off appliancesAnother useful tip for reducing heat in the home is to switch off your appliances, as running them during the hottest times of the day will raise the temperature in your home. Washing machines and dishwashers use a lot of hot water, so it's best to wait until it's cooler in the evening to put them on. It's also a good idea to turn off televisions, computers and other electronic devices when they are not in use. – Plentific8. And turn off the lightsIt sounds obvious, but light bulbs give off heat so take advantage of the longer sunshine-filled summer days and utilize the abundance of natural light as much as possible. Keep rooms cool after dark (and save energy!) by using lights minimally (or not at all). – DuetteFor tips on how to keep your car cool this summer, check out the related video above.