I use a couple of small battery powered fans, (both AA and D cell). They are made to sit close to a person, not blow through the whole house. If I'm up and working around the house, it's a matter of toughing it out until you can sit down in front of the fan and take a break. I'd advise getting one for each person in the family, and plenty of batteries. They can make a big difference.
Example: Last power outage a few weeks ago, the little fan made it livable to sit and read or be at the desk on the laptop. As long as the fan is close, a little breeze is a godsend. Haha..if you are looking for something to take the place of AC, it ain't gonna happen short of a good sized generator and all the hassle that may entail.