8 expert fan hacks: clever ways to cool down a room with a fan more efficiently
Make your cooling fan more efficient during hot weather with these expert-approved fan hacks
Emily Smith
With the hot weather finally approaching, many of us will be scrambling to get our fans out of storage to stay cool. To truly feel the benefit of them, why not give one of these efficient fan hacks and enjoy the much cooler air?
There’s a reason so many of us storm the shops when the heat hits. Having a fan is one of the best ways to cool down a room without an AC, but it can sometimes feel like its reach is somewhat limited.
So, whilst you may have previously thought your best cooling fan was a simple one-trick pony, these experts are here to show you just how wrong you are. Yes, with some hacks and unique methods, you can get even more satisfaction out of your fan than simply blowing a lacklustre amount of cool air in one direction.
Before you get hot and bothered, here are some tips to upgrade even the best fans on the market and keep you from breaking a sweat.
8 smart fan hacks to stay cooler during the heat
"Contrary to popular belief, fans don't cool air; they move it," explains Sonia Madaan, a devoted engineer and the founder of EarthEclipse.com. "The sensation of coolness we feel is the effect of the moving air evaporating perspiration from our skin."
For this reason, how we use fans can make all the difference in how effective the cooling efforts feel, as some of the most common cooling mistakes can make your home warmer.
From adjusting the ceiling fan direction to reconsidering the positioning beside a window, experts say there are easy ways to make all fans more effective at beating the heat.
1. Give your fan a clean
Cleaning a fan of any kind is a good place to start, to ensure the blades are running to the best of their ability and ensure the motor is not affected by a build-up of dust
Dust can slow down the fan's blades, meaning the cooling appliance is not working as efficiently as it could be.
It's always worthwhile cleaning your appliances to enhance performance and prolong their lifespan, so perhaps give your dehumidifier a clean too to improve your indoor air.
This is a hero product every cleaner should have in their home, especially for dust and dirt removal. Having more than one on hand will prepare you for even the most dust-ridden fan.
Another key cleaning product, white vinegar, is a brilliant, gentle cleaner that will make quick work of breaking down dirt and killing any bacteria that may have grown on your fan blades through winter.
This Swiffer duster is really light and ideal for dusting delicate items. It's ideal for keeping on top of your fan's dust buildup and can reach awkward spots you might not be able to get with your microfibre cloth.
2. Alternate between facing in and out of a hot room
The question of whether it is better to have a fan blowing in or out of a hot room is a frequently asked one, and for good reason, because it matters a great deal, it turns out.
"For a window fan, the direction should depend on the outside temperature and the room temperature," explains Felix Wilson, home editor for the home and lifestyle experts Unclutterer.
"If the outside temperature is cooler than the inside (usually at night), the fan should be blowing into the room to bring in the cool air. If the outside temperature is hotter, the fan should be blowing out to expel the hot air from the room."
This fan hack is especially useful for keeping a bedroom cool at night, to make it easier to sleep in the heat.
3. Reposition to create a cross breeze
The key to creating a breeze indoors is to reposition your fan to create maximum airflow from room to room.
"Thoughtfully positioning fans in certain ways can also make a difference," says Felix. "For example, placing a fan across from a window can create a cross-breeze effect that can cool an entire room efficiently."
Look to elevate fans onto tabletops or higher surfaces so you benefit more from the direct breeze on your skin.
4. Reposition the angle
Heat rises, meaning it's essential to aim your fan to direct hot air away from you. As you might welcome a blast of cooler air directly into your face, it is more beneficial to reposition the fan to elevate the hot air up and away from the body entirely.
When using a fan to assist while sleeping, it's important to direct the fan onto the main areas of the body that need to stay cool in order to sleep better.
"The secret behind regulating body heat is keeping your body warm but hitting core pulse points such as your head, neck, wrists, and feet,' explains Alison Jones, a sleep expert at Sealy.
"By keeping those key areas cooler, and away from the heat of the covers, it will help to lower core temperature."
5. Use alongside a dehumidifer
The body's job to keep you cool down is to sweat, but that is less effective when the air surrounding you feels too humid. The lower the humidity in a room, the cooler and more bearable it will feel. This is where it can be beneficial to use a fan in conjunction with the best dehumidifier, and why buying a humidifier in summer is beneficial.
Similar to why dehumidifiers are good for drying clothes, they can also make your fan more efficient. Dehumidifiers work by extracting moisture from the air. When used with a high-speed fan, the increased airflow ensures that your dehumidifier is pulling in more of the warm, humid air at a faster rate.
Chris Nye, overseas property expert at Your Overseas Home, says: "While dehumidifiers won’t necessarily reduce room temperature, they can help control the sticky, thick air that makes hot days even more uncomfortable."
"Humidity decreases the rate at which our sweat evaporates, making us feel much hotter and sweatier, so investing in a dehumidifier can make your home a bit more comfortable during the hottest and most humid days."
These are our top-rated dehumidifier models...
The MeacoDry Arete One is an all-around great dehumidifier. It's simple, easy to use, great for families with little ones, and quiet. Perfect for use through the summer months when humidity is at a high!
This dehumidifier is perfect for removing unwanted moisture and humidity from your warm home. It can collect up to eight litres a day. And whilst doing all of this, it will stay whisper quiet so that you won't be disturbed.
6. Change direction of your ceiling fan
Changing the direction of the ceiling fan's blade rotation is crucial to getting the best results. In particular, we are talking about ceiling fans with a switch that automatically reverses direction.
During the summer, ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise to make you feel cooler. Here is Brad Roberson, president of air conditioning company Aire Serv, to explain why.
"Counter-clockwise circulation of fan blades in the summer pushes cool air down to the floor, producing a wind chill effect on the skin and making a room feel up to 8 degrees colder to those underneath," says Brad.
"Ceiling fans also help your air conditioner, reducing the need for constant central or window air conditioning. Warm air rises in a home. During hotter months, a slow speed that pushes air down can increase comfort. In warmer summer months, pulling cooler air toward the ceiling can create a more consistent temperature throughout the room."
7. Switch off electrical devices
If you're looking to help your fan work faster and more efficiently, it pays to reduce the room temperature by removing any unnecessary sources of heat.
When the temperatures outside are becoming stifling, you won't wish to open the windows as much, meaning the air inside won't be able to circulate as easily, as any electrical devices producing heat will add to the increasing temperatures you'll be feeling inside.
When looking for the best way to cool down a room with a fan, look to switch off all other electrical appliances you don't need during the hottest parts of the day.
FAQs
Does putting a wet towel over a fan make it cooler?
If you're trying to keep your bedroom cool during a heatwave, you might be looking for any way to make your fan more powerful. However, you should stay well clear of the wet towel trick.
“Whilst it can seem tempting when you’re at your wits' end, and the heat gets too much, it is not recommended to place any sort of damp covering over a fan for several reasons," starts Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at AO.com.
“Firstly, it is unsafe, like any electrical appliance, a material covering can pose as a major fire hazard, even more so if there is moisture involved," she adds.
Not only is it majorly dangerous, but it won't even help keep your bed cool in the summer weather; it actually has the opposite effect.
“On top of this, the cooling effect would be very limited rather than enhanced, as it will only really serve as a barrier to the airflow. In humid environments like the UK, evaporation is also slower, making the effects even more minimal. Instead, the ice bowl hack is much safer and can deliver better results,” finishes Katie.
Katie is a key expert at Ao.com for a multitude of appliances. She specialises in Floorcare, Health & Beauty, Air Treatment & Garden & DIY.
Does putting ice behind a fan make it cooler?
You've probably seen the DIY air conditioning fan hack online and wondered if there's any truth to it. We've tested the hack ourselves, and unfortunately, we were left rather disappointed.
“Putting ice near a fan can make the air feel cooler for a little while, but it won’t cool an entire room. It’s best treated as a short-term comfort trick," explains Gerrit Jan Reinders, CEO of Reinders Corporation.
"For the best effect, place a bowl of ice or frozen water bottles in front of the fan so the air passes over them. Just make sure the bowl is stable and keep any meltwater well away from the fan, plug, and sockets. Once the ice melts, the cooling effect stops. It can help if you’re sitting or sleeping nearby, but it shouldn’t be relied on as a proper cooling solution during extreme heat,” he continues.
When taking into consideration how much it costs to run an electric fan, there's really no reason not to use them during the summer months. However, should you have the space and budget to do so, investing in an air conditioning unit can be a great choice for those who particularly struggle with keeping cool in summer.
