Cooling the whole house on a hot summer day can prove costly. Fans work well to mitigate the cost, but they will not chill the air; they simply circulate the air to create a pleasant breeze. Placing a bowl of ice in front of an oscillating fan creates a frugal and effective alternative to air conditioning and fans alone. The cooling effect is highly localized to the area directly in front of the fan and it cannot cool a whole house or even a larger room, but it can help beat the heat in a pinch.
Adding salt and water to the ice will help it stay cooler longer by slowing its melting rate and increasing its freezing rate. One option is to fill a 2-liter bottle with roughly 6 cups of water and 1 cup of rock salt. Place the bottle into the freezer until it is frozen solid, then place it in a metal bowl in front of the fan so the circulating air passes over it. The bottle will prevent spillage, and it can be frozen again and reused.