There are several ways you can cool down a room fast. Once you understand how hot air and cool air can be interchanged, you can set about getting your room cooled down.
How to Use Fans to Cool Down a Room Fast
The most common way to cool down a room is with fans. There is a specific method that will get the hot air out and allow cooler air to be pulled in the room. You'll need a fan for each window in the room. You can use either box fans or oscillating fans.
Windows Opposite Each Other
The ideal is a room with windows on opposite ends of the room. You'll need two box fans or two oscillating fans. You can also use one of each, depending on what you have on hand.
- Open the windows.
- Place one fan in one window facing out from the room. This fan placement will be used to pull the hot air out of the room.
- Place the other fan in the opposite window facing into the room. This fan will pull in the cooler air from outside.
- This creates a cross current of different air temperatures.
- Leave the fans running on high for about 10 minutes.
- Turn the fan facing outside, so it is facing into the room. Now both fans will pull in the cooler air.
Room With Windows on Same Wall
If you don't have a room with opposite windows, you can still use the method to draw hot air out and pull cooler air into the room. You'll need two box fans or two oscillating fans. You can also use one of each, depending on what you have on hand.
- Set one fan facing out of the room inside one of the open windows.
- Set the other fan facing into the room.
- Let both fans run for about 10 minutes, allowing the hot air to be pulled from the room.
- Turn the fan facing out of the room so it is facing into the room and allow the fans to continue to run to cool down the room.
Room With One Window
If your room has only one window, you can set one fan in the window with the fan facing out from the room. You'll need two box fans or two oscillating fans. You can also use one of each, depending on what you have on hand.
- After putting one fan in the window facing out, place another fan on a chair or on top of a bookcase as high as possible.
- Turn the fan on high so it directs the air toward the fan in the open window.
- This will allow the inside fan to push the hot air toward the fan in the window and send it outside.
- As you begin to feel the room temperature drop, turn the fan in the window around so the cool air is directed into the room.
- Move the fan on the chair or other furniture onto the floor. If using an oscillating adjustable fan, position it so the air flows toward the ceiling. This will help to cool any remaining hot air trapped along the ceiling.
Fans and Ice
Another quick method to cool down a room is to fill bowls, buckets or small coolers with ice. You can use box fans but an oscillating fan will work best. You'll need one bucket/bowl of ice for each fan you intend to use.
- Set the buckets or bowls on the floor or on tables.
- Place the fan directly in front of the ice container.
- Direct the fan flow upwards and level. Alternating with one pointed up and the other level.
- Set the fan to oscillate.
- The coolness from the ice will chill the air and the fan will send it into the room.
Ceiling Fans and Floor Fans
If you have a ceiling fan in your room, you can use it to cool down the room. You need to run the fan on its highest setting to cool down the room.
- Set the blade rotation so the fan turns counterclockwise.
- This rotation will force the warm air from the ceiling down.
- The warm air along the ceiling will clash with the cooler air below.
- This cross current of moving hot air down and cool air up creates what is commonly referred to as the fan windchill effect.
Whole House Attic Fan
An attic fan is a fast way to cool down a room or an entire house. The attic pulls the heat from the house and sends it out through a roof vent. At the same time. The system draws in cool air into the house via open windows. This has been a long-standing tradition in the South before homes were air-conditioned. Modern technology has improved this type of whole house cooling fan systems, so they are quieter and more efficient than the louvred hall ceiling placements of the past.
Close Off Rooms
The north side of your home is the coolest since the sun doesn't shine directly into the rooms located there. Close off the rooms in your home that are in the south, southwest and west facing. These are the hottest rooms since they receive direct sunlight.
- The heat in these rooms can be trapped and prevented from transferring to the other parts of the house.
- You can take steps to cover the windows for additional insulation.
- Place towels along the bottom of the doors to keep the heat trapped.
- You can even cover the outside of the room door with a blanket or quilt to add another layer of insulation.
Keep Blinds and Curtains Closed
You can keep blinds, shades and/or curtains closed against the heat during the day. This will prevent radiant heat from the sun from heating up the room. If you can still feel heat coming through the window during the day, you can cover the window with a blanket or quilt to add another layer of insulation to prevent heat gain.
Replace Light Bulbs
While the ambiance of incandescent light bulbs is warm and inviting, these light bulbs actually produce heat. You can replace them with LED bulbs that won't heat up your room further.
Turn Off Heat-Producing Appliances and Equipment
If the room you need to cool down fast has heat-producing appliances, you can disconnect them, as long as they aren't a refrigerator or freezer. You can opt to cook your meal(s) on an outside grill to avoid heating up the kitchen with the oven. The heat produced in the kitchen can transfer to other rooms, adding to the existing uncomfortable heat level. Avoid using any other heat producing equipment.
How to Use Different Techniques to Cool Down a Room Fast
There are many techniques you can use to cool down a room fast. You may decide to combine a couple of methods to ensure a faster cooling of your room.
