Being able to have air conditioning is a luxury that many homeowners take advantage of, especially during the peak of summer. However, it’s difficult to put all of your trust in you’re A/C unit, especially if it tends to give out now and then.
With the ability to learn how to cool a room with a fan and ice, you’ll have your own DIY air-conditioning system that can help give a short burst of cool air into a small room.
Below are some great at-home fan tricks that you can use to your advantage to moderate the temperatures in your entire home without having to rely on your central air or window unit, which is not only great in an emergency situation but also phenomenal for helping you save some money during the peak season.
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How to Prepare the Fan and Ice
By following these steps, you’ll be able to get a cool breeze circulating through your bedroom or living space in no time.
Step 1: Preparing the Ice
The first thing you would need to do is to make sure that you prepare the ice and a lot of it. Ideally, you’re going to want at least a bucket filled with ice cubes or big blocks of ice in order to get the most cooling possible since smaller ice cubes will melt within a matter of seconds.
Depending on how warm your home is, investing in a couple of bags of ice from your local grocery store or gas station can be a great idea, instead of relying on a single tray. Whereas if you’re just looking for a little bit of cold air, you can certainly opt for a bowl of ice instead of a bucket.
Step 2: Setting Up the Fan
Ideally, you’re going to either want a table fan or a floor fan that doesn’t have an oscillating head, as the air will need to pass directly over the bucket of ice in order to push the cold air. If you only have an oscillating fan, ensure that you set it to where the head is stable and directly blowing towards where you want to place the bucket.
Since hot air rises, your best bet is to ensure the fan is as close to the ground as possible; otherwise, you’re simply going to be trying to cool a large section of heated air, and it will go through the ice faster than you anticipated.
Step 3: Opening a Window
As mentioned, there’s no point in trying to cool down hot air with a single bucket of ice, so you’re going to want to make sure that you have at least one window open where all of the hot air can escape as its pushed around the room. This not only preserves the ice but will make it substantially easier to keep the room at a comfortable temperature.
Step 4: Turning Your DIY Air Conditioner On
Now that you have everything set up and you know how to cool a room with a fan and ice, you can turn your DIY setup on and sit or stand close to the fan. You’ll immediately notice a difference in the air as it will be slightly damp but cooler than the environment you’re surrounded with.
Other Great Fan Tricks for Staying Cool
Aside from learning how to cool a room with a fan and ice, there are plenty of other phenomenal tips and tricks that you can use to fight the heat, and they are the following:
- Use Your Windows
Even if it’s stifling outside, you’ll be surprised to learn that your windows can become your best friend when you’re trying to cool down the inside of your home. By placing a fan near the top of your window, you’ll push all of the hot air that has risen in your home outside, which will significantly lower indoor temperatures.
- Use a Wet Cloth and a Fan
Similar to how you would use a bucket of ice and a fan, try getting a damp cloth and putting it on the front of your fan head, securing it into place so that it doesn’t get sucked into the fan blades. It might not be as effective as using ice, but it’s sure to cool you down, especially if you’re standing right in front of the fan. As the air is generated by the fan blades, it will push through the cold water absorbed into the fibers of the cloth, providing a gentle cooling sensation.
- Keeping the House Dark
Even if you’re a fan of natural light, it’s time to determine whether you would rather be subjected to incredibly hot temperatures or navigate around your house with minimal light. One of the first steps to lowering the temperature in any room is to make sure that all of your blinds or shutters are closed, and all of the lights in your home are off. Not only will this help keep your home cool, but it will also help you save on the summer energy fees that can be overwhelming for your bank account.
- Take Advantage of a Breeze
People who live in the South are quite aware of how relieving a simple breeze can be on a hot day, even if it’s very humid outside. If at all possible, make sure that you take advantage of a lot of natural breezes because it will help to evaporate your sweat and keep you a little cooler. It can also be beneficial to use two fans in order to set up a crosswind that will generate cool air and push warm air out while you’re indoors.
Final Thoughts
The idea of making your own DIY air conditioner is something that plenty of people have had to do in their lifetime, whether they live in a condo or if they’re dealing with a faulty central air unit in their house. With the help of these tricks, you’ll be able to stay cool in the dog days of summer without needing to take a cold shower or bath to moderate your body temperature.
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