Keep the heat outside

According to some studies, 30% of the heat enters a house through its openings. Also, during the day, it is imperative to leave the shutters or blinds closed. You may be tempted to half-open the window, but when the outside heat is particularly strong, it is better to avoid it. It is only effective if we manage to create an air exchange with an opening exposed to the shade (a courtyard, a garage, a cellar, etc.). In case of high exposure of windows to the sun, an insulating film or double glazing is also very useful.

Do not create heat

As you can imagine, this is not the time to use the oven or the roasting pan, but other household appliances also generate heat: washing machine, dryer, microwave, etc.

Create a draught / an airflow

At night, when the temperature drops, even slightly, it's time to take advantage of it by creating as much air flow as possible between outside and inside, but also in the house itself, by opening communication doors so that air circulates everywhere and allows rooms to accumulate freshness.

A fan placed in front of a window will help this fresh air to enter the house more quickly or to move between places with different temperatures.

Choose the right fan

Up to a certain temperature, a fan is a good way to cool down. Several types of fans are available:

• Those with a base are rather intended to be placed on a piece of furniture and for a single person usage .
• Some are on a height-adjustable stand which is perfect for the living room. They are more or less powerful, rotary or not. The air flow is therefore more or less wide, depending on whether it will benefit one or more people.
• Finally, the tower type, which is in general quieter. Another peculiarity is that it sends a vertical air flow and therefore allows cooling from head to toe. With a rotary system, it may sweep the whole room! Ideally, choose a model with timer, power adjustment and above all rotary functionalities!

There are other options ... so that everybody can define their needs!

Evaporation creates a feeling of coldness

It is because it evaporates that perspiration allows the body to lower its temperature. On the same principle, there are misting fans, which can send an air flow loaded with some humidity.

Humidity in the air is your friend

Likewise, misting your plants when it is hot is a good idea. It does them good, but you may also take advantage of it, because the foliage and the ground keep moisture better than the artificial materials of our homes and thus lengthen the duration of evaporation in the rooms.

You can also take advantage of this effect by spreading a wet sheet in front of a window, provided there is some air flow. Before going to bed, you can also mist your bed slightly. And if you use cotton sheets in summer rather than synthetic material, it's even better!

Just before bedtime, you can also take a cool shower to lower your body temperature, which also helps you fall asleep. Even a simple foot bath, if the water is above the ankles, will bring a little freshness.

How technology could change your life

Placing a container full of ice cubes in front of a fan is not such a strange idea as it sounds. The more ice, the better: you can use bottles of water put in the freezer (fill them up only to up 2/3 of their capacity to prevent them from bursting), or a salad bowl, a large dish filled with ice cubes. But if you really want to blow fresh air, the most effective is to use a cooler or its “big brother”:  the mobile air conditioner.

Air conditioning or cooling?

The cooler is an inexpensive solution which takes up and improves the idea of placing an ice bin in front of a blowing device. It may have tanks of 6 or 9 liters in which it is possible to put water, ice cubes and better still, ice packs like those which one uses to keep food or drinks in a transportable cooler. These packs must be placed in the freezer beforehand and then, they will enable the cooler to blow fresh air.

The mobile air conditioner directly produces cold like a fridge. For this reason, it consumes 1300W whereas a cooler consumes only 60W. It is also more expensive than a cooler, but more powerful. In addition, it evacuates the hot air by means of a pipe which can be directed into another part of your home or, even better, towards the outside, through a window.

Both types of devices have variable speeds as well as a timer allowing them to stop automatically.