The summer heat is getting hotter and can be unbearable, so it is essential to know how to cool down a room fast. You could turn that up to cool your entire home if you have air conditioning.

Not everyone has one, though, and not everyone wants the increase in energy usage and costs that come with it. There are quite a few strategies that you can use to cool a room without an air conditioner.

 

Reducing the hot air sources in your home

When the heat is unbearable, keeping your home cool and comfortable can be difficult. There are several ways that you can quickly cool a room. An air conditioner is an efficient way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, but it is not energy efficient, and not everyone has one.

If you do not have a central air system, investing in a good portable air conditioner can be a great way to keep a room cool, but this still does not come with energy efficiency. Fans can help circulate the air and make the room feel cooler.

Closing blinds with insulated curtains can block out the heat from the room. These are, of course, the most apparent suggestions, but there are other effective ways to cool the room if these are not cutting it.

Whether you are combatting a heat wave or just trying to lower your energy bill, the three things you want to focus on for cooling your room is reducing heat, air circulating, and cooling. These are a few tricks to cool down your entire house or, at the very least, your main room.

Before anything else, you should look for ways to stop the indoor temperature from increasing due to the heat generated inside. When it is unbearable outside, you will want to make sure that everything indoors is not adding to it.

Related: What Is The Temperature In My House? 

 

Light bulbs

During the heat of the day, it is best to keep the lights dimmed or even off if possible to keep your room cooler. Lights put out some heat, so this is a helpful way to limit extra heat from making the room even more unbearable.

Additionally, switching your incandescent lights with LED bulbs can help if you have not already (1). LED bulbs use significantly less energy than incandescent bulbs and emit less heat. This makes it a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for the long term.

 

Curtains, Blinds and Shades

Make sure to cover windows during the day. Shutting the curtains, blinds, or shades can help to keep the sun’s heat from entering the room. The thick, heavy fabric of window coverings can block out direct sunlight, allowing the inside of the room to stay cooler.

 

Minimize use of heat-generating appliances and electronics

Minimizing your use of appliances that generate heat, especially during the hottest part of the day, can prevent it from contributing any hot air to the room. You will especially want to avoid using appliances like the oven, washer & dryer, or dishwasher.

Try washing the dishes by hand or hanging wet clothes up to dry. If you must use one of these, shut the door if possible to trap heat and keep the rest of your home cool.

You will also want to avoid taking a steamy shower, because excess humidity can increase the stagnant, hot air. If you do shower, take one in cool water, turn on the bathroom fan, and keep the door shut. This will help to keep the humidity from spreading throughout the home, plus the cool water will help to cool you down.

You might consider using a microwave or pressure cooker to prepare your meals. These types of appliances generate less heat and are more efficient than the oven and stove. A small appliance like a pressure cooker or electric skillet can prep a hot meal without adding heat to the room. Alternatively, you could eat a no-cook meal like a freshly-prepared salad or sandwich.

 

Unplug unused electronics

Unplugging unused electronics is an effective yet often overlooked method of reducing heat sources in your home. Your electronics still generate heat when plugged in, even if they are not currently in use.

You should consider turning certain high heat-generating electronics off during an extreme heat wave. Things like televisions and computers emit a lot of heat when in use, which can cause the room to heat up more. Keeping these turned off, and unplugged can keep the room from becoming even more insufferable.

 

Doors and Windows

If you open windows and doors, allowing fresh air, you can help circulate the air and cool down your home. Especially if you set up tower fans to take advantage the cross breeze. At night, remove the window coverings to allow the cooler night air inside.

As the cool air flows through the room, it can relieve the oppressive heat and make you feel cooler. This is especially effective at night when you do not have to deal with the rays of the sun, which can quickly heat up a room.

 

Circulating cool air

One of the most obvious solutions is more fans. Using window fans, ceiling fans, box fans, or tower fans is a practical way to move the surrounding air and help you to feel cooler. 

Although fans do not directly cool the room, they cool you by creating a wind chill effect. The fan blows the air around you, allowing the moving air to evaporate the sweat from your skin. This process helps to eliminate some of your body heat, making you feel cooler.

If you have a ceiling fan, make sure it is on a higher setting and rotating counterclockwise. Even though hot air rises, when ceiling fans push it straight down, it can create a wind chill effect. This feels like cool air and helps your sweat evaporate.

Putting in window fans can draw in the night’s cool breeze. It is especially effective if you have another one in an opposite window facing out to create a makeshift cross breeze. Keep all interior doors open, so you do not prevent cool air from moving throughout.

Turn on your exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen (even if you are not currently using either space). An exhaust fan draws the hot air and humidity out of your house. Turning them on during the hot summer months can help reduce the hot, humid air and keep your home cooler.

This is important if you live in a humid climate, but can be helpful in any climate (2). If there is a lot of humidity, you can even create your own by pointing window fans out to force the inside air out. In the future, you might also consider investing in a dehumidifier to help remove any extra humidity as well. 

Even if you have an air conditioning system, fans can help circulate the cold air and keep your AC unit from working too hard. Fans compliment the system to keep the home at a comfortable temperature. For example, keeping a ceiling fan and tower fan on can make the room feel cooler, so you won’t have to crank the air conditioning as low.

 

Working with your home

Work with your home’s design rather than against it. If you have a basement, place a box fan there draw up some cooler air. Set up oscillating fans throughout your home to keep the air moving. Make sure that your ceiling fans are turned on wherever they are.

Stagnant air can feel stifling and keep you from cooling off. If your home has multiple levels, try to focus your energy on the lowest level, since heat rises and this level should stay relatively cooler.

Increasing your home’s air circulation using fans, open windows, open doors, etc. is key to keeping the inside more comfortable.

 

Stay cooler- controlling the warm air

During extreme heat waves, you never want to be stuck in the heat without a way to cool off. Hot summer days can be uncomfortable, but it also can be extremely dangerous. It is important to take all the necessary precautions to stay cool.

To prevent heat sickness, you want to be mindful of how you feel, stay hydrated, and keep your body temperature down. Here are some tips for how you and your family can beat the heat and stay comfortable.

 

Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential in hot temperatures. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day to ensure your body remains cool and to replace any fluids lost due to sweating.

You will want to drink mostly water and non-alcoholic drinks to replenish any lost fluids. Both caffeinated and alcoholic drinks should be limited or avoided completely, as both can lead to further hydration. There is not a specific amount of water that you will want to drink, but trying to drink throughout the day and especially whenever you are thirsty is a good rule of thumb.

 

Stay inside in the cooler air

In the early morning and at night, open up the windows on the opposite side of your house or apartment. This will create a cross breeze to help circulate the air and create a cooler atmosphere inside.

If possible, stay indoors during the hottest part of the day. At this point, you will want to close the windows and curtains to keep the sunlight out and stop it from heating up the room again. If you notice a window with heat coming through it, you should add a layer of insulation (like a blanket or window film) to prevent heat gain.

 

Dress for the weather

Be mindful of what you wear. In order to stay comfortable and cool, you will want to dress accordingly. It might be tempting wear less or tight clothing, but this can feel restricting or sticky. You should choose lightweight, cotton fabrics that won’t trap in your body heat and will let air circulate.

A loose, relaxed fit won’t restrict your movement and helps you to regulate your temperature by allowing optimal airflow. You should also avoid dark colors because they absorb heat making you feel warmer.

 

DIY Air Circulation

An air conditioning unit is one of the best ways to cool down a room quickly. Installing an AC unit in your window or using a portable air conditioner are great alternatives to a full air conditioner system.

Investing in either option would be an easy way to get and keep your room at a more comfortable temperature. It is especially effective if you only need one room or small space to be cooler.

Window units are easy to install depending on the size and shape of your window. And portable units are even simpler, with many just needing to be plugged in.

You can even make your own DIY air conditioner to create cold air that can keep you cooler. You can set this up by placing a bowl or pan filled with ice in front of a desk or tower fan and point it directly at you.

The ice, cold water will slowly evaporate and lower the temperature of the air, allowing the fan to blow cold air across you. You could even use ice packs or a bag of frozen peas to create the same effect.

Or sit in front of a fan or directly below a ceiling fan. Although it does not get rid of the warm air, this breeze helps any sweat to evaporate and cools you down with the wind chill effect. It feels like you are tricking your brain into thinking it is cold, but you are just activating your body’s way of regulating your temperature.

As tempting as it sounds, do not use your refrigerator or freezer as a makeshift air conditioner. These work by sending excess heat out the back, so overall they will only heat your home.

 

Regulating your temperature

It can be challenging to get yourself cooled down in summer heat. Use ice packs. You can place them on your couch or bed to keep it cooler while you relax. Or you can apply it directly to your pulse points, like your wrists or neck.

By focusing on the pulse points, the ice cools you down quickly. You can use almost anything frozen – an ice pack, bag of ice, or even a frozen bag of vegetables.

Take a quick, cold shower. Humidity does increase the oppressiveness of hot air, but a quick, cold shower or bath can be a great way to cool down and relax. Plus, the cold water can help lower your body’s temperature.

Related: What is a cold room in a house? Do you need one?

 

How to cool down a room fast FAQ

 

What is the fastest way to cool down a hot room?

To cool a hot room quickly, you should:

  1. Place a fan in an open window to blow the hot air out of the room. Make sure it is only one window and that all other windows are covered to block out any direct sunlight.
  2. Open interior doors and turn on your exhaust fans to prevent trapped heat.
  3. Turn on your ceiling fan (if you have one) and make sure it is rotating counterclockwise.
  4. Make sure that the clutter is picked up (it can absorb heat).
  5. Create a DIY air conditioner by setting a mixing bowl of ice in front of an oscillating fan to spread cold air throughout the room quickly.
  6. Keep the lights dimmed and turn off all other unnecessary electronics.
  7. If the sun is not directly shining in, use a wet sheet in an open window to cool the air flow temperature.

Related: How To Fix A Hot Room In A House? Find Out Here!

 

Conclusion

Heat waves can be incredibly uncomfortable and potentially even life-threatening, so it is important to take all necessary precautions to keep you and your room cool. Here’s how to avoid overheating through some hot nights.

The three areas that you want to focus on for cooling your home is stop any heat leakage at the source, circulate the air throughout the home, and finding ways to cool down and stay comfortable.

Make sure to avoid using major appliances/electronics and block out the sunlight during the hottest part of the day. When the sun is down, open the windows throughout your home to help draw in cooler air and create a breeze. Ensure all your fans are turned on to help circulate the air.

Your biggest focus should be on regulating your body’s temperature to avoid heat sickness or dehydration. Staying hydrated is important, as drinking lots of fluids can help replenish anything lost through sweating. Additionally, things like sitting under a ceiling fan or take a cool shower can be great ways to quickly cool off.

There are plenty of strategies to cool your room and keep it comfortable during hot summer days. Some might require a bit more preparation and effort, but most are simple and quick so you can quickly beat the heat.  

Sources
(1) – https://www.energystar.gov/products/lighting_fans/light_bulbs/learn_about_led_bulbs
(2) – https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/humidity

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