Latest news with #LesRoberts
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Climate
- 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.'
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
This cooling fan hack has gone viral — and it's not as strange as you think
Summer is finally here, and as temperatures reach unbearable temperatures, staying cool in our homes can become a challenge. This is especially the case if you don't have one of the best smart air conditioners, or your AC has suddenly stopped blowing cold air. And while there are plenty of clever ways to beat the heat without AC, this rather unconventional, fan hack has gone viral — and has also baffled social media! So, what is this bizarre fan hack that promises to stay cool in a heatwave? While most of us tend to point our cooling fan into the room, and close our windows, this hack advises to do the complete opposite. TikTok user @tayyyylz, posted a video explaining that instead of pointing a fan into the room as most people do, we should be aiming it out of an open window or door to keep cool. She goes on to explain this clever, cooling trick was advised by her boyfriend who is a power and cooling engineer. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The video clip shows a tower fan pointing towards an open window with the caption, 'When he says if we point the fan out of an open window, it will cool the room down quicker, he's right.' It's not surprising that this TikTok video quickly went viral, racking up over 2.2 million views, and over 300 comments from curious viewers questioning how this actually works. One user questioned, 'Why would you have your windows open if it's hotter outside??', while another commented, 'Works better if you have two fans on opposite ends, one blowing outside air in and the other blowing inside air out.' While this method may seem counterproductive, how effective is this cooling hack? Shark's FlexBreeze Pro Mist is Shark's smartest cooling fan yet. It offers immense versatility, with a portable design (complete with carry handle and even a bag) and can also be converted to a freestanding fan. It's also rechargeable, and features a removable misting attachment for next-level cooling. As much as we love clever hacks here at Tom's Guide, we always do our research, and have called on an expert to confirm (or debunk) such claims. Surprisingly, it's true! And it's all about creating more ventilation, and a better air circulation into the room. 'Opening opposite windows or doors creates a pathway for air to flow through your home – a basic principle of ventilation,' states Les Roberts, energy expert at Bionic. '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 original fan to face outward pushes the hot indoor air out, which in turn draws cooler air in from the other opening.' But how would this method work if it's a particularly hot and stifling day? 'It works most effectively when the air outside is cooler than inside, typically in the evening, overnight, or early morning. The difference in temperature (known as a temperature gradient) naturally drives air movement from cooler to warmer areas. This process helps the fans work with, rather than against, natural convection, making your home feel more comfortable with minimal energy use.' Another clever trick is to place a bowl with ice or frozen water bottles in front of your fan. The idea is that if you hold your hand near ice, the air itself feels nice and chilled — like a DIY air conditioner. So if all else fails the next time you're overheating indoors this summer, try pointing your fan out the window instead. What's more, it's completely free!
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Here's why taking a cold shower during a heatwave is incredibly dangerous, experts say
It's getting hot in here. The dog days of summer are here, and NYC is currently experiencing a scorching heatwave with temperatures reaching well into the 100s. New Yorkers are doing everything possible to cool off, which may include jumping into a cold shower — however, experts advise against it. Advertisement New Yorkers are doing everything possible to stay cool this week. fizkes – Serious organ damage can be done if people's core temperature stays high for too long, so a cold shower on an extremely hot day sounds like a sensible way to cool your body down, but in reality, it's not helpful at all. 'Although diving into a cold bath or shower straight after being out in the heat might feel nice on your skin, it isn't doing what is needed to reduce the core temperature of the body,' researchers explained in a study published by The Conversation. Advertisement When taking a chilly shower, blood vessels near your skin constrict, which reduces blood flow to certain areas, causing your body to hold heat in and around your organs — something you don't want to happen. And if the water temp in your shower is borderline freezing, a domino effect happens: your body goes into a 'cold shock response,' which causes the skin's blood vessels to rapidly constrict, which then increases your blood pressure since the heart has to work in overtime mode, as explained by The Conversation. This is bad news for people with heart conditions. Although it's rare, the shocking difference in body temperature, going from hot to cold, can cause an irregular heartbeat and worst-case scenario — can lead to death. Before panic sets in — jumping into a mildly cold pool, shower or bath won't kill you — just be careful not to bring the water to a freezing temp. Advertisement Taking a freezing shower sounds like a great idea torwaiphoto – Expert-approved ways that are actually efficient in keeping your body cool during this treacherous heatwave are to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol — they can cause dehydration. It's also recommended to avoid wearing dark-colored clothing and keep your blinds and curtains shut to keep the heat at bay. And if you own a fan, a simple hack can help keep your home cool and will save you a few bucks on your electricity bill. Advertisement Les Roberts, an energy expert from Bionic, told the Daily Mail that fans should be pointed out the window instead. 'Opening opposite windows or doors allows air to flow through,' Roberts said. 'For even better airflow, you can place a second fan facing inward at the opposite opening to pull cooler air into the room, creating a strong cross-breeze.'
New York Post
19-06-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
‘Simple' fan hack will cool you down faster and better — and save your wallet, energy expert says
Summer is almost in full swing, and with that comes uncomfortable scorching temps and often high electric bills, thanks to the constant run of air conditioning. NYC is gearing up for its first heat wave of the season, with forecasters predicting temperatures to reach a high of 100 degrees next week. This hack can help keep you cool and comfortable during the hot summer months. Maria – Thankfully, there is an expert-backed trick that can solve New Yorkers' sweltering problems. To save yourself and your wallet — an expert recommends utilizing a fan in a specific way to keep the temps inside your home nice and cool. By default, most people think to point a fan directly at themselves to cool off, yet Les Roberts, an energy expert from Bionic, told the Daily Mail that fans should be pointed out the window instead. 'Opening opposite windows or doors allows air to flow through,' Roberts said. His logic is that if two windows are open, the fan can help push the hot air inside the room out, allowing for cool air to enter from the other window. Sounds genius. 'For even better airflow, you can place a second fan facing inward at the opposite opening to pull cooler air into the room, creating a strong cross-breeze,' he told the outlet. To reap the effects of this tip, the expert said people should do this in the early mornings or later evenings — the coolest parts of the day. 'It's a simple trick that could make a noticeable difference, especially at night, when outdoor temperatures drop,' he said. This simple yet effective trick seems to be one that some people weren't aware of, according to the comment section of a viral TikTok that demonstrated it. 'When he says if we point the fan out the open window, it will cool the room down quicker and he's right,' text read in the video with over 2 million views. 'wait how do i do this?? can i just point a fan out the window or do i need another window open in the house for a breeze to come from??' one commenter asked. 'Why am I learning more on TikTok than I learned in school?' asked someone else. While many others chimed in, agreeing that this hack is a game-changer. 'yuppp bathroom window open, bedroom window open with fan pointing out, cool in minutes,' a comment read. 'I have my fan right in front of one open window to suck cool air into my room, and another window open so the warm air gets pushed out. Bliss,' agreed someone else. 'I've always pointed my fan out of the window and opened a window elsewhere, open the door and you're then funneling cool air through the gaff!' read another comment.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
You're using your fan wrong! Expert reveals why you should point it OUT the window to stay cool
When it's this warm, people resort to all sorts of tips and tricks to try and cool down. As an amber heat alert is issued in England, many will have bought fans in a bid to reduce the temperature in their homes. But if you've been positioning it to blow air directly onto you then you're doing it wrong, experts say. However, their advice will likely raise a few eyebrows – as it involves pointing your fan out of the window. If two windows are open in a house then doing this this helps to push the hot air outside, while drawing cooler air in from the other opening, they said. 'Opening opposite windows or doors allows air to flow through,' Les Roberts, an energy expert from Bionic, said. 'For even better airflow, you can place a second fan facing inward at the opposite opening to pull cooler air into the room, creating a strong cross-breeze.' The method is most effective in the evenings or early morning, he explained. 'It 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,' Mr Roberts said. '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 can significantly cool your living space without air conditioning, through natural ventilation 'enhanced' by fans. 'It's a simple trick that could make a noticeable difference, especially at night, when outdoor temperatures drop,' he 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.' This cooling trick has already been shared on TikTok, with one post racking up over 180,000 views. In it, user ' Tayyyylz ' shows her fan pointing out the window at her boyfriend's request with the caption: 'When he says if we point the fan out of the window it will cool the room down quicker and he's right'. One person commented: 'It's mental how people are only just figuring this out – should be common knowledge'. Others were baffled, however, asking: 'Wait what? You don't point it directly at your face?' British gadget store Curry's even joked: 'You teach that hot weather a lesson.' Other tips include closing curtains and blinds during the hottest parts of the day to block sunlight and heat, and opting for cooking methods that produce less heat. Longer-term cooling methods could be planting trees strategically in your garden to provide more shade, and rethinking your interior colour scheme. 'Darker colours absorb more heat, whilst lighter colours reflect sunlight and help keep things cooler,' Mr Roberts said. 'If you're redecorating or planning home improvements, choosing lighter-coloured paint and furniture is a simple way to stay cool and cut down on energy use. 'It's also a smart long-term move as heatwaves become more frequent.' Eat spicy chilli, tikka masala, a Thai curry or soup to keep cool in the heatwave, say experts You might not think that a spicy chilli, tikka masla curry and soup would be the best things to eat to cool down during the heatwave. But it turns out that having a hot meal in the evening can actually help you stay cool by the sweat you perspire evaporating into the air and cooling the body. A chilli can also be helpful, with the capsaicin found in the food sending a signal to your brain that your body is overheated - so you will sweat more to cool down. Tucking into watermelon, turmeric and reducing the carbohydrates and protein in your diet are also good ways to beat the heat. Nutritionist Daniel O'Shaughnessy has teamed up with online delivery firm JustEat to compile a list of the best foods to eat or avoid in order to cool down. Traditionally seen as a winter dish, a bowl of soup in the evening as temperatures start to drop can actually help people stay cool, Mr O'Shaughnessy explained. He said: 'It will make you perspire more, but as the sweat evaporates, the energy is absorbed into the air, therefore cooling the body.' Mr O'Shaughnessy also believes a spicy chilli is a good choice, with the capsaicin found in the food sending a signal to your brain that your body is overheated. As a result, you will sweat more to cool down. The powerful anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric also make a tikka masala curry a good option in the heat. Curcumin, which is the active ingredient in the spice, helps promote good circulation, helping to speed up your blood flow and cool your body down. Mr O'Shaughnessy also named onions as a top pick, with the vegetable being used in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional form of Indian medicine which is more than 3,000 years old, to treat heatstroke. Other heatwave choices recommended by the nutritionist include mint, thanks to its cooling sensation, as well as spinach, which contains the vitamins and minerals needed to help keep your blood pressure under control and keep you cool. Mr O'Shaughnessy said coconut milk, found in Thai green curry, has important nutrients to support hydration, prevent exhaustion and muscle aches in hot weather. And watermelon, which is high in water content, also contains citrulline, an amino acid which relaxes you and helps to dilate the blood vessels, meaning more blood can circulate around your body and cool you down. But there are some foods to avoid, with Mr O'Shaughnessy advising Britons to cut down on carbohydrate-rich foods, such as rice and wholegrains, and foods high in protein like chicken. He said: 'It may be harder to digest a high protein food in a heat wave. Meat is quite hard to digest and the digestion process creates heat (thermogenesis) and can make you feel hotter in yourself. 'Opting for plant-based dishes can be a good choice as less energy is needed to break vegetarian dishes down compared to meat.'
