Latest news with #coolingtips
CNET
3 days ago
- Climate
- CNET
Summer Heat Is Blazing. These Home Fan Tricks Will Help Keep You Cool
Summer is in full swing, and along with bright days and shorter nights, soaring temperatures have arrived. Last year delivered record-breaking temperatures across the US, and this summer is no different. Late June saw a scorching heat wave that broke records as far north as Connecticut. Summer is heating up, but running a fan during the day can help keep you cool without making your power bill skyrocket. If you don't want to run the air conditioner 24/7, there are some tricks to help you keep the inside of your home cool. Methods like closing the curtains or wearing lightweight clothing can help, but they only go so far. If you can't get comfortable at bedtime because it's too hot, setting up a fan can make a huge difference. But you should be sure to put it in the right place. Scroll on for tips and tricks to maximize your comfort and coolness this summer. For more, check out our tips on how to save on heat and air conditioning with a small home upgrade, and learn about five signs it's time to replace your window AC unit. And if you have a ceiling fan, you'll want to make sure it's rotating in the correct direction for the season (yes, there's a difference). CNET Fan location matters One big thing you may be overlooking when you turn on a fan is its placement. To ensure optimal cooling with a window fan, the US Department of Energy suggests putting it in a window where the wind is blowing away from the house. This helps pull the hot air out of your home. Make sure other nearby windows are closed so the hot air is forced to travel out the window with the fan. You can double up with intermittent cooling from an air conditioner to really chill your home, without keeping the window unit blasting all the time. An AC essentially turns your home into a big refrigerator -- the fan helps serve as the fridge's ventilation. If you want to cut back on AC usage even more, you can take advantage of cross-ventilation by opening windows in rooms farther away from the fan, especially where wind is blowing toward the house. This works best if the open windows are in cooler, shaded areas rather than direct sunlight so that cooler air is coming into your house as the hotter air is being pulled outside by the window fan. If your home has more than one story, you should install your fan on the second floor and open windows on the main floor for cross-ventilation, according to the DOE. Otherwise, you could install multiple fans in different sections of your home. Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 8:13 Loaded : 7.24% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 8:13 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money A couple of additional tips Even if you don't have a window fan, you can create cross-ventilation with open windows to make your space a bit more comfortable. Experiment by opening a window where wind blows toward the house and another window across your home where wind blows away from the house. This should help cooler air move into the house and expel the hotter, more stagnant air. If you have a ceiling fan in your home this summer, make sure it's rotating counterclockwise to pull warmer air up and push cooler air down. Read more about how to safely switch the direction your ceiling fan rotates. For more on how to stay warm or cool (and save money), check out our guide on where to install a thermostat and the ideal thermostat setting to save money without sacrificing comfort. More energy-saving tips:
The Sun
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Top air con hacks to keep your car cool as temperatures soar – including where to point your air vents
MOTORING experts have shared some essential advice on keeping your car cool in the summer heat. Amid record breaking temperatures around the UK this week boffins are revealing top tips about maximising your car's cooling systems. 3 From using your doors and windows to maximising your air vents - a little goes a long way trying to keep the temp in your motor down. Happily, the RAC have released five essential tips to beat the heat. The easiest and most notable of all is pointing your car's air vents in an upward direction - maximising the use of your lower vents. Heat rises - so to make best use of your car's air con, blast cold air downwards into the footwells. This will force the hot air up and out of your car's windows (opening these is also a good idea). To maximise this effect, shut the upper vents on the dashboard, so the full airflow is directed upwards. After a little while, your car will have begun to cool, so slowly wind your windows up to ensure the cool air stays inside the cabin. There's another key trick to cooling your car fast - but you may get some odd looks for doing it. You basically use your car doors to fan out the hot air. You need to open both windows on one side of your car, and then swing a door on the other side back and forth to push the car's stale air out of the open windows. Six items every UK driver should remove from cars this weekend It takes at least three attempts to get rid of the car's heat. Another great way to cool down your motor's interior, is by making the best use of your car's air conditioning. After starting your car's engine, turn your air con to the coolest possible setting, and make sure to use the 'external' air setting. This is because the air outside your car is likely to be cooler than what's inside, so using air recirculation will slow down your car's ability to stay cool. Bare in mind air con can take a few minutes to become effective - so opening your windows for a couple of minutes while it gets going might help. By the time your air con does manage to pump out cool air, then make sure to shut the windows and switch from external air to recirculation. You can also reopen the upper air vents and adjust the airflow from these according to your needs. If your car doesn't have the luxury of air con, then make sure to keep your windows open as much as possible, turn the fan on and keep it at the coolest setting. By contrast, if your car is advanced enough to have a climate control system, then you can keep a constant temperature for the remainder of your journey. The RAC website says: "The summer months are perfect for road trips, holidays and trips to the beach. "Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to keep your car healthy and cool in the warm weather." 3
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
A simple hack can help to cool down your home in hot weather – it's completely free and only takes seconds
THE UK is hot right now and if you're looking for ways to survive the soaring temperatures, a simple step can keep your home cool. You won't have to spend a single penny to make your space more comfortable in the sweltering heat. With the UK staring down the barrel of a potentially scorching summer, many of Brits are looking for ways to keep cool. There has even been a spike in Google searches for heatstroke signs and treatments this month. Corey Sims at CSDB has revealed some simple and practical tips to beat the heat, without breaking the bank. One of his hacks involves freezing your bed sheets and pyjamas for a cool night's sleep. However, another lesser known step can also be taken to stay refreshed in the summer heat. Corey recommended sourcing a plastic spray bottle and filling it with cold water. And while everyone knows that this can be used to spray yourself directly in order to cool down, you can also use it to lower the temperature of your home. You can spray your curtains to create a budget-friendly cooling effect in a room. "Dampen your curtains to cool the room," the expert advised toasty homeowners. "As air blows across the wet drapes, evaporating water absorbs heat and lowers the room temperature. "The hot weather also ensures the curtains dry quickly without smelling damp." If you don't have a plastic spray bottle on hand, you can pick them up from most bargain retailers. And the expert shared an additional tip that will help you survive the rest of the summer. If you keep your spray bottle of water refigerated for the upcoming weeks, you can guarantee a cool home until September. "One great idea is to fill multiple spray bottles with water and store them in the fridge, so they are ready when needed," he said. The expert revealed other steps you can take to keep your home cool this summer. He recommended close your windows and blinds during the hottest part of the day. "Just as cold air enters your home through windows in winter, hot air does the same in summer," the pro explained. "Keep them closed during the day to block out heat. Open them early in the morning and at night to let in cooler air." He also advised against using your oven in the hot weather, instead opting for no-cook meals like salads and sandwiches to keep your kitchen cool. "This is a perfect excuse for a BBQ to keep the heat outside your home," the expert pointed out. "Using an oven at operating temperatures for any amount of time is reported to raise the temperature in your home by five degrees. "This could contribute to heat exhaustion if your home is already hot. "Picky bits on a hot day are another brilliant go-to for dinner."
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Genius £1 trick will absorb heat & keep your bedroom cool during hot weather – and you don't need to splash out on a fan
A GENIUS £1 trick will keep your bedroom cool this summer meaning you won't need to splash out on a fan. With temperatures soaring in the UK as Brits face the hottest day of the year so far, many of us wonder how to best battle the heat. 1 Experts have revealed simple and practical tips to stay comfortable in your home this summer, even on a strict budget. Corey Sims at CSDB has provided a simple hack to stay cool around the house. She advises to firstly buy a spray bottle at a bargain or DIY store for around £1. With this you can then spray your curtains, dampening them to cool the room. As air blows across the hot drapes, evaporating water absorbs heat and lowers the room temperature. The hot weather also ensures the curtains dry quickly without smelling damp. You can also spray yourself to help stay cool which works in much the same way as sweat that helps our bodies shed excess heat. The water is immediately refreshing and cool when it hits your skin. Another good idea is to keep the spray bottle, or multiple bottles, in the fridge so they are ready when needed. Experts have provided other great ways to keep your home cool all day too. This includes closing your windows and blinds during the day to block the heat and open them early in the morning or at night to let cooler air in. Freezing your pyjamas and bedsheets for at least 20 minutes will also keep them cool and refreshing for when you're ready to sleep. It's also advised not to use the oven and to opt for no-cook meals like salads and sandwiches in what sounds like a perfect excuse for a BBQ. It will keep the heat outside your home and prevent your oven heating your home by a further five degrees. If your home is already hot, it could contribute to heat exhaustion so picky-bits on a hot day is a brilliant go-to for dinner. Finally, you can also create your own DIY mini-air conditioning by placing a bowl of ice in front of your fan. This is great for cooling smaller spots like your favourite chair or the side of the bed.
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.'
