The best way to beat the heat during the summer months, for many people, is to sit inside and crank up the air conditioning. In fact, in the Midwestern United States alone, more than three quarters of all homes have central air conditioning systems installed so that they can relax comfortably on the couch all summer long. However, the combination of having to keep the windows closed and not letting in fresh air and high operating costs means that you might want to find alternatives when you can. If its not too hot out, opening the windows and cranking up…