Power engineer shares 'correct' method to use fans cools rooms down much faster
Most UK homes are designed to keep the heat in which makes getting to sleep in the summer especially tricky - one expert has shared the right way to use a fan to help cool down a room much faster
A power and cooling engineer has shared the 'correct' way to use your fan to ensure a room cools down much faster and more effectively. As the warmer summer weather continues, and looming heatwaves remain on the forecast, many people are eager to find methods of keeping their homes as cool as possible.
Most UK homes aren't equipped for rising temperatures as they're often designed to keep the heat in. Air conditioners still aren't a common feature in many homes, so many turn to using a fan and keeping it going all night long in a bid to get some decent sleep in the sweltering heat.
Lots of people look to social media on a quest for answers or tips on better methods to reduce the temperature at home. And one woman caused a stir after sharing a tip from her partner, who works as a power and cooling engineer, on TikTok.
In the simple six second tip, a fan can be seen in front of an open window. Over the top of the footage, the woman added the words: 'When he says if we point the fan out the open window, it will cool the room down quicker and he's right'.
In the caption accompanying the clip - which has racked up more than 162,000 likes so far - the woman simply penned: 'That's on living with a power and cooling engineer'.
Hundreds of people shared their thoughts in the comments section. One person said: 'Bernoulli's principle - fast moving air sucks in even more surrounding air. So pointing it out the window (at a distance) will draw a lot of the air in the room out the window with it'.
Another joked: 'Why am I learning more on TikTok than I learned in school?'
Someone else shared: 'We only have AC in the living room, that's what we do to redirect the cold into the bedrooms. I thought my boyfriend was crazy too when he said it but it works."
Les Roberts, energy expert at Bionic, commented: 'Opening opposite windows or doors allows air to flow through. For even better airflow, you can place a second fan facing inward at the opposite opening to pull cooler outside air into the room, creating a strong cross-breeze.
'Positioning the fan to face outward pushes the hot indoor air outside, which helps draw cooler air in from the other opening.'
Les continued: 'This method works best when it's cooler outside than inside - usually in the evening, overnight, or early morning - as the temperature difference creates a natural flow of air.
'The temperature gradient enhances the movement of air, allowing the fan to more effectively push hot air out and pull cooler air in, resulting in a more comfortable indoor environment.
'This approach is energy-efficient and can significantly cool your living space without air conditioning by exchanging hot indoor air for cooler outdoor air through natural ventilation enhanced by fans. It's a simple trick that could make a noticeable difference, especially at night, when outdoor temperatures drop.'
On the topic of air conditioning, Roberts added: 'On average, portable air-conditioning units cost around £8.40 to run per day, whereas a fan could cost you as little as 71 pence.
'By utilising a fan to its full advantage with this hack and forfeiting air con, households could save nearly £55 a week.'
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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Power engineer shares 'correct' method to use fans cools rooms down much faster
Most UK homes are designed to keep the heat in which makes getting to sleep in the summer especially tricky - one expert has shared the right way to use a fan to help cool down a room much faster A power and cooling engineer has shared the 'correct' way to use your fan to ensure a room cools down much faster and more effectively. As the warmer summer weather continues, and looming heatwaves remain on the forecast, many people are eager to find methods of keeping their homes as cool as possible. Most UK homes aren't equipped for rising temperatures as they're often designed to keep the heat in. Air conditioners still aren't a common feature in many homes, so many turn to using a fan and keeping it going all night long in a bid to get some decent sleep in the sweltering heat. Lots of people look to social media on a quest for answers or tips on better methods to reduce the temperature at home. And one woman caused a stir after sharing a tip from her partner, who works as a power and cooling engineer, on TikTok. In the simple six second tip, a fan can be seen in front of an open window. Over the top of the footage, the woman added the words: 'When he says if we point the fan out the open window, it will cool the room down quicker and he's right'. In the caption accompanying the clip - which has racked up more than 162,000 likes so far - the woman simply penned: 'That's on living with a power and cooling engineer'. Hundreds of people shared their thoughts in the comments section. One person said: 'Bernoulli's principle - fast moving air sucks in even more surrounding air. So pointing it out the window (at a distance) will draw a lot of the air in the room out the window with it'. Another joked: 'Why am I learning more on TikTok than I learned in school?' Someone else shared: 'We only have AC in the living room, that's what we do to redirect the cold into the bedrooms. I thought my boyfriend was crazy too when he said it but it works." Les Roberts, energy expert at Bionic, commented: 'Opening opposite windows or doors allows air to flow through. For even better airflow, you can place a second fan facing inward at the opposite opening to pull cooler outside air into the room, creating a strong cross-breeze. 'Positioning the fan to face outward pushes the hot indoor air outside, which helps draw cooler air in from the other opening.' Les continued: 'This method works best when it's cooler outside than inside - usually in the evening, overnight, or early morning - as the temperature difference creates a natural flow of air. 'The temperature gradient enhances the movement of air, allowing the fan to more effectively push hot air out and pull cooler air in, resulting in a more comfortable indoor environment. 'This approach is energy-efficient and can significantly cool your living space without air conditioning by exchanging hot indoor air for cooler outdoor air through natural ventilation enhanced by fans. It's a simple trick that could make a noticeable difference, especially at night, when outdoor temperatures drop.' On the topic of air conditioning, Roberts added: 'On average, portable air-conditioning units cost around £8.40 to run per day, whereas a fan could cost you as little as 71 pence. 'By utilising a fan to its full advantage with this hack and forfeiting air con, households could save nearly £55 a week.'
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
'I woke up at 1.45am to climb Pen y Fan but was floored by what I found at top'
'I woke up at 1.45am to climb Pen y Fan but was floored by what I found at top' Emily White woke up as early as 1.45am to hike Pen y Fan, but it wasn't quite what she expected. She couldn't believe what she found at the top of the mountain after the big climb The experience left her floored (stock image) (Image:) There's nothing like a hike up a mountain, especially in Wales. When the weather is on your side, and you have some time to yourself, there's nothing quite like exploring the wonders that our country has to offer; however, one woman was recently left gobsmacked after she climbed Pen y Fan, in the Brecon Beacons. Emily White recently shared her experience on TikTok after admitting she woke up at 1.45am in a bid to see the sunrise as she reached the summit. After travelling to the area, and filling up on breakfast, she managed to arrive at Pen y fan by 4.20am, but by 5am things weren't looking so good. Just under an hour later she reached the top of the mountain, but it wasn't quite the experience she hoped for. Instead of being met with gorgeous views and glorious sunshine, she was greeted by something rather different instead - a whole lot of fog. Content cannot be displayed without consent Dubbing the experience a "sunrise fail", she couldn't help but make light of the situation. After all, what else can you do but laugh after waking up so early just to be met with blurry views? Based on the video, it appears many others also experienced the same blunder, as you could see other hikers in the distance too. As Emily was walking up the mountain, the weather looked a lot clearer, as she also filmed some ponies and sheep. Article continues below Unfortunately, when she reached the top, it painted a very different picture. Emily just wasn't meant to witness the glorious views Pen y Fan has to offer when she visited, or so it seems. No matter how much effort you put into hiking, sometimes the weather just isn't on your side. It's unfortunate, but it's just how it goes sometimes. If you've never been to Pen y Fan, it is actually the highest peak in South Wales. It lies in the Brecon Beacons National Park and, at 886 metres (2,907 ft) above sea-level, it's also the highest British peak south of Cadair Idris in Snowdonia. Both the mountain and surrounding area are owned by the National Trust who is working to try and tackle the erosion caused by the popularity of this peak with walkers. The mountain is also used by the military as part of the selection process of the UK's Special Forces personnel. Visit Wales says: "Pen y Fan is one of the most popular walks in Wales. When the weather is fine, the views are truly splendid. "Mile upon mile of rolling hills disappear into the distance, fringed by eons-old sheer cliffs. Just like Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), its popularity can detract from the experience, as trails get very busy at peak times. Article continues below "If you're visiting in mid-summer you might want to try the nearby Black Mountains or the Cambrian Mountains - particularly if you like to walk without lots of other people around. To get to Pen y Fan you can walk along the Beacons Way or the Taff Trail. If you prefer to cycle, you can take National Cycle Network Route 8 or the Taff Trail." If you plan to travel by public transport, you can take the train to Merthyr Tydfil or Abergavenny station and then hop on the X43 bus. In addition, you could also take the T4 bus from Cardiff to Newtown and get off at the Storey Arms. To travel by car, follow the A470 road which connects Llandudno in North Wales and Cardiff in South Wales. This route passes right through Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park in Mid Wales and will take you alongside the mountain.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
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Four reasons why UK heatwaves always feel hotter than the same 30C heat abroad
A UK heatwave feels more intense than hot weather abroad due to several factors. Experts explain exactly why this is the case as the Met Office forecasts 34C temperatures for parts of England If you've ever wondered why 25°C in the UK feels like a sauna compared to the same temperature abroad, don't worry, many others have also wondered the same. It's not just all in your head, and it actually might be a legitimate grievance. According to NHS doctor Dr Karan Raj, there are some very real and logical reasons why heatwaves in Britain feel so unbearable – and it's not just because we're not used to it. Taking to TikTok, Dr Raj known online as @ explained why British heat hits differently and he laid out some key reasons why summer in the UK can feel like you're 'a roast barbecue pig'. The Met Office said the UK is set to reach highs of 34C this weekend, with large parts of the UK basking in temperatures around 30C. Humidity The first culprit? Humidity. British heat is often accompanied by high relative humidity, which is the amount of moisture in the air compared to the maximum it can hold at a given temperature. When humidity is high, sweat doesn't evaporate as effectively – and that's a big problem for cooling down. "In the UK, the relative humidity is higher than in countries with dry heat. This makes it harder for our bodies to cool down because sweat doesn't evaporate as well. So you feel hot and sticky like a roast barbecue pig. This is why 35C in a dry climate can feel more comfortable than 25C in a place with high relative humidity." It's the reason why 35°C in a dry climate like Spain or Portugal might feel far more bearable than 25°C on a muggy day in the Midlands. Homes designed to trap heat Another reason Brits feel the burn? Our buildings are simply not built for the heat. 'In the UK, the buildings are designed to retain heat because the weather is usually cold, soggy and silly,' says Dr Raj. Great in the winter not so much during a summer scorcher. Most UK homes don't have air conditioning, and insulation that helps conserve warmth in the winter turns homes into mini greenhouses during a heatwave. By contrast, buildings in warmer countries are often designed to stay cool think thick walls, large windows, shutters, and heat-reflecting coatings. We're simply not set up for it The Met Office agrees that the UK isn't well equipped to handle high temperatures. Annie Shuttleworth, a Met Office meteorologist, told Stylist that how we experience heat at home versus abroad plays a huge role. 'When we experience heat abroad, we're usually on holiday, and may be close to a pool or the beach,' she says. And let's be honest lounging with a cocktail in hand feels a lot better than sweating through your morning commute. Meanwhile, air conditioning and heat-adapted buildings make a world of difference in southern Europe. Even at night, there's no relief. Without cooler night-time temperatures, our bodies don't get a chance to recover. How heat affects the body It's not all in your head, there's real science behind it. Heat loss relies on a temperature gradient between your body and the surrounding air. When it's hot and humid, that process becomes less efficient. "Sweating cools you down because when the water evaporates, it transfers energy away from your body. However, sweating is less effective if there is already a lot of moisture in the air," explains Dr Matthew Patterson, a meteorologist speaking to BBC Science Focus. But when the air is already saturated with moisture, sweat struggles to evaporate, making you feel even hotter. This is also why the UK sees heat-health alerts even when temperatures are in the low 30s. These levels might seem pleasant elsewhere, but they can cause serious disruption in the UK. Risk to life, wildfires, transport chaos, and power outages are all on the cards during a UK heatwave. How to keep cool The NHS advises staying out of the sun when possible, especially between 11am and 3pm. If you do need to head out, wear light clothing, a hat, and use sunscreen. At home, keep blinds and windows shut during the day and open them at night to let in cooler air. Drink plenty of fluids and consider taking a cool shower or dampening your clothes to help regulate your body temperature. If you're feeling dizzy, nauseous, or overly tired, these could be signs of heat exhaustion. Other symptoms include headaches, pale and clammy skin, muscle cramps, fast breathing or heartbeat, and extreme thirst.
