Isn't it a feature of Arab or Moghul architecture (Al-Hansell of Arabia will correct me, I'm sure) to have an inner court with a pool and fountain which cools the whole house? It's unusually humid in UK at the moment but remembering the hot summer of '68 when I was travelling through the US I sympathise with you.(And I hope you get some rain to kill the fires soon).
Until then think of Hard Hearted Hannah:
An evening spent with Hannah in a big armchair
Is like crawling through Alaska in your underwear...
RtS