Latest news with #homecooling
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- General
- The Guardian
Get a fan and shut curtains: how to keep your home cool in a heatwave
It's tempting to throw the windows open all day in the hope of a breeze, but when it is really hot outside, you only let in hotter air. Open the windows nice and wide overnight (if it is safe to do so) or early in the morning to let cooler air in, then shut them as the outside temperature climbs. Try to generate a through breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of your home or from top to bottom. A lot of heat comes through windows as thermal radiation, which warms the surfaces and air in a room, raising the ambient temperature. Closing the curtains or blinds acts as a barrier, helping to prevent the heat from going further into your room beyond the window. If you can, hanging a sheet or other barrier over the outside of the window helps prevent thermal radiation from entering your room, which can keep it significantly cooler on very hot days. There's a reason homes in hot and sunny climes have shutters on the outside of their windows. The British Blind & Shutter Association says research it commissioned at a London block of flats found that temperatures reached 47.5C in rooms without shading, whereas rooms that had external blinds fitted reached a maximum of 28C. Using an electric fan to move air around your home can help cool you, as long as the air temperature is less than 35C. It will not cool down a room. Of course, fans come in various shapes and sizes, including pedestal, tower and desk versions, and with varying price tags. This week the Guardian published an article that included our pick of the best fans. The best overall was named as the AirCraft Lume, a pedestal fan costing (at the time of writing) £119 from the online retailer AO. The one named as best budget fan and best desk fan is made by Devola and was available this week for £49.99. Buying an energy-efficient model will help with running costs and reduce the amount of heat that the fan's motor creates. You can also position it in front of a window when it is cooler outside to encourage air to enter your home. A step up from a standard fan is an evaporative cooler, which is essentially a fan that blows through a damp material. The water evaporates into the air, absorbing some of the heat energy and cooling the resulting breeze from the fan by a few degrees. They work best in dry conditions, though, so can struggle in relatively humid British summers. This week's Guardian article on fans also looked at evaporative coolers, and the one our writer liked the best was the Swan 5 Litre Nordic Air Cooler (£69.99). For a free version, you could – in theory – try pouring some cold water across a sealed, tiled floor, which will then evaporate to cool the tiles, though this could damage flooring material and will increase the humidity in your home. Dehumidifiers are usually associated with the wet winter months, but one of the factors that makes heat less bearable is high humidity, because it reduces the body's ability to cool itself effectively by sweating. A dry heat is much easier to deal with than a humid one. If it is really humid in your home a dehumidifier can help keep you cool, though many generate their own heat as part of the process, so it is a balancing act. It won't be nearly as effective as actual air conditioning, but to make a DIY air cooler, all you need to do is blow air over something cold. There are many YouTube videos showing different ways to create your own air conditioning surrogate, but the most basic is a bowl of ice water in front of a fan. Just be very careful with water and electricity. Another popular technique is to use an old coolbox or polystyrene tub with a fan. Cut a hole in the top of the box big enough for a fan to blow into it, then cut an exhaust hole for the air to leave. Fill the box with ice packs or bottles of frozen water and let the fan blow straight down into the box over the bottles to pump colder air into the room. Getting a proper 'split' air conditioning system installed can be very expensive, but portable air conditioning units aren't nearly as pricey. They are usually the size of a small filing cabinet and contain the compressor and the fan in one unit. They have the downside of generating heat in the place you are trying to cool, which has to be pumped through a tube and out of a window. For short-term use in a heatwave, they can effectively cool one room, such as a bedroom or lounge. Cheap units cost from about £130, with good ones more in the £300 range. They consume a lot more electricity than a fan and are rated in British thermal units (BTU) for cooling power, so make sure you buy one powerful enough for the size of your room. When it's very hot, turn off anything that generates heat. Electrical appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, TVs, stereos, games consoles and computers can all generate quite a lot of heat over time when in use, while other devices such as your router or lights also emit a little heat. Cooking generates a lot of heat, so use the hob and oven sparingly and consider only cooking late at night when you can have the windows open. Alternatively, take your cooking outside using a barbecue, camping stove or similar. Keeping yourself cool and hydrated can help you deal with heat. Consider eating cold food such as sandwiches and salads or water-rich foods such as cucumbers and ice lollies. Fill up bottles of water during the evening and store them in the fridge overnight so you have cold water to drink during the day. Taking a tepid but not freezing cold shower is an effective way of cooling your body. You want to cool the skin as much as possible without exposing it to very cold water, which can cause your blood vessels to contract, trapping the warm blood from radiating your core heat away through your skin. You can also use a cold compress to cool parts of your body – something that can be particularly effective on the back of your neck, your armpits or wrists. If all else fails, take a trip to a place with air conditioning such as a shopping centre, supermarket, cinema or other cool space to recuperate. Some say that checking into a cheap hotel with air conditioning can also be a lifeline in the hottest of nights.
CNET
a day ago
- CNET
What Size Heat Pump Should You Buy for Your Home?
It's summer, and that means your home is going to need cooling if you want to stay comfortable as the temperatures rise. Although you could add a few of the best window air conditioners to cool down your home, but a good heat pump system might be the better option for you. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on the thermostat, but choosing the right technology can make it even easier to maintain the perfect temperature. Heat pumps can be a great option for homeowners. They offer a few benefits -- they're up to 50% cheaper to run than standard central air conditioners, according to the US Department of Energy. They're also useful in both hot and cold weather. If you're among the 78% of US adults stressed out about energy bills, as found in a recent CNET survey, you would do well to pick the right heat pump. If you want to get the best out of a heat pump, it's crucial to choose the right size for your home. You should avoid spending money on a pump that's too powerful for your needs and needs more energy, or one that's too weak for your needs and needs to run harder to keep up with the space. So how do you pick the right one? We've got all the answers to your questions, below. The importance of finding the right size heat pump It might seem like the size of your heat pump isn't that important. After all, what's the worst that can happen if it's a bit too small or too large? You might be surprised to learn just how important it is to find the right size. Having a heat pump that's either too small or too large can result in unnecessarily high energy costs. If your heat pump is too small for your home, it likely won't work properly. You could end up paying higher heating and cooling bills because the heat pump will struggle to heat and cool your home. Because the heat pump has to work harder to get your home to the right temperature, you can also expect to pay higher repair and maintenance costs. On the other hand, oversized heat pumps will produce more energy than you need, which wastes energy and reduces efficiency. Google's Nest Thermostat is a steal at $130 Google's Nest Thermostat is a steal at $130 Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 2:21 Loaded : 4.21% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 2:21 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Google's Nest Thermostat is a steal at $130 How to size a heat pump There are a couple of different methods you can use to find the right size heat pump for your home: Manual J and square footage. We'll discuss each of those in further detail below. Manual J Manual J calculation is the industry standard of sizing a heat pump. It was established by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America to help determine the proper size heat pump for your home based on eight different factors. The eight factors that Manual J considers are: The local climate, including how many days per year you need heating and cooling Your home's square footage and layout How many windows you have and where they're located Your home's air filtration The insulation quality in your home How many people live in your home Your preferred temperature Heat-generating appliances in your home Square footage There are a lot of factors that go into calculating your heat pump size, and it can be complicated to determine how each of those affects your heat pump needs. Luckily, there's a simpler approach you can take to choose the right size heat pump. In general, every 500 square feet of your home will require one ton of air conditioning capacity. Here are some guidelines to help you determine how many tons you'll need: 500 square feet: 1 ton 1,000 square feet: 2 tons 1,500 square feet: 3 tons 2,000 square feet: 4 tons 2,500 square feet: 5 tons 3,000 square feet: 6 tons It's also important to know what each ton equals in BTUs, or British thermal units, which is the measurement used to determine heat pump sizing. Use this chart to help you determine the BTUs needed for your home: Heat pump size guide undefined Home size (in square feet) Heat pump size (in tons) Heat pump size (in BTUs) 500 square feet 1 ton 12,000 BTUs 1,000 square feet 2 tons 24,000 BTUs 1,500 square feet 3 tons 36,000 BTUs 2,000 square feet 4 tons 48,000 BTUs 2,500 square feet 5 tons 60,000 BTUs 3,000 square feet 6 tons 72,000 BTUs Once you know the appropriate number of BTUs required for your home's heat pump, you can start shopping for the right one. Remember that you can also work with an HVAC expert who can help offer some guidelines and advice. The bottom line Finding the right heat pump size for your home is critical when it comes to saving money on energy and keeping your home at the right temperature in both the winter and summer. Sizing your heat pump may seem difficult at first, but it's actually pretty simple to figure out. And luckily, there are plenty of heat pump sizing calculators available online to simplify the process further. And once you know what size heat pump you need, the process of finding the right one should be a breeze. Keep reading to learn more about heating and cooling your home:
The Sun
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
The EXACT time you should close your windows when it gets hot & why opening them could be making your home even stuffier
IT'S the first instinct for many people - to open the windows when it gets warm outside. And with temperatures set to exceed 28°C this week, there will undoubtedly be millions of people cracking theirs open in a bid to catch a break from the stuffy temperatures. 3 3 However, according to one expert, there are only two times during the day and night that you should actually open the windows. "The number one rule in a heatwave is to not open your windows when it's hotter outside than in," Alan Reid, double glazed doors and windows expert at Art Windows and Doors, explained. "Opening your windows is not cooling your home, it's just letting more heat come flooding in." So make sure that your windows and blinds are closed between 11am and 4pm - especially if your house is south-facing. And at 8pm, you can open your windows fully - this will allow the hot air to escape gradually when the temperature outside start to drop. It's then a good idea to leave your windows on night mode, if you have that setting on your vents. "Most modern windows have a built in vent lock or night catch which lets you crack the window slightly for airflow without leaving it fully open," Alan added. "Used at the right time when the outdoor air is cooler, it can help release trapped heat from your home." You can open the windows fully once again in the morning, before the temperatures rise again. There are some other ways you can help keep your home cool in the daytime during a heatwave too. Met Office issues heatwave warning as temperatures set to surge to 30C within days Five ways to keep your kids cool in the heat IT can be really difficult - and costly - to keep kids cool when it's hot outside. But Fabulous Digital Senior Reporter and mum-of-two Sarah Bull shares five ways to help, and they won't break the budget either. Strip them off It might sound simple, but stripping kids off at home can really help them regulate their temperature when it's warm outside. Just remember to regularly apply suncream, as more of their skin will be exposed to the sun. Cool down bedrooms before nighttime When it's hot outside, it can be difficult for kids to go to sleep - especially if their bedroom feels like an oven. If you have a room that's not in direct sunshine, keep the windows open to let in a breeze. It's also a good idea to keep the curtains closed, to prevent the room from heating up. Wear a hat Another simple technique, but one that really works. Make sure that if your kids are playing outside, they've got a hat on. It keeps their face and head shielded from the sun, and also helps if you've got a little one who struggles with bright sunlight. If your tot struggles to keep a hat on, try one with a strap that goes under the chin to help. Avoid the car The car can be one of the hottest places during a heatwave, and often takes a long time to cool down. If you have the option, it's better to stay at home rather than taking kids out anywhere in a hot car. Stay hydrated This is always important, but even more so in a heatwave. Make sure you're regularly reminding your kids to have a drink, and top them up with cool liquids whenever you can. Use ice too to ensure it's as cold as it can possibly be. Some are somewhat self-explanatory - don't use ovens or other heat-generating appliances during peak heat hours, and use linen or cotton bedding to stay cooler at night. But other ideas include having light coloured curtains and blinds, as this will stop them absorbing the heat, and will instead keep rooms cool. And if you've got a fan, you can turn it into a makeshift air cooler by putting a bowl full of ice in front of it. 3
The Sun
11-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
The key mistakes you're making with your fan and it could be costing you £111 a year
KEEPING your home cool in the summer months can be a bit of a challenge. Many households turn to gadgets to help keep their pad feeling comfortable when temperatures are rising but beware as these can add a lot of money to energy bills. 1 The typical cost of running a fan is relatively low, no matter whether you opt for a bladeless model or more traditional style portable fan. For 24 hours of continuous use, you'd expect to pay between 3p and 7p through energy costs, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Even if you continuously used a fan over June, July and August it would add, at most, around £6 to an energy bill. However, with hotter weather more people are opting for air conditioning units. These appliances circulate air around the room in a similar way to a fan - but also remove heat from the room. Air con units are far more expensive to run than fans - typically 20 times as much, according to the EST. You're looking at paying up to £1.30 for 24 hours of continuous use. Over the course of a month that would be around £39 and over the summer months, £117. There are some easy ways to make sure you're getting the most out of a fan to keep your home cool so you can avoid other pricier gadgets, according to consumer group Which?. Here are the mistakes to avoid... Forgetting the ice Your fan can help cool a room faster if there is ice of cold water placed in front of it. To make this trick work best, you want a bowl filled to the top with ice and the fan blowing air directly on to it. This will make your fan feel a little more like an air conditioner without the added cost. Location, location, location If it's cooler outside, placing your fan next to a window will help draw in colder air helping to bring down the temperature in your home. This could work especially well in evenings when it's usually colder outside. Make sure it's facing the room and leave the window open. If you have another window in the room and another spare fan, you could further help push air out of the room by facing it out of the window. This will help create a crosswind in the room. Pre-running a fan Some may think that having a fan on in your bedroom before bedtime could be a good way to cool a room. But in reality you're wasting energy as a fan only creates a breeze which feels cooling rather than lowering the temperature. It's not a good idea to leave a fan running when you're out or not in a room either from a safety aspect. Not cleaning up Get the vacuum out to suck up dust and dirt in a room before turning on your fan. The gadget will blow air as well as dust and pollen particles around the room. This can aggravate allergies. If you're using your fan for the first time this year, it's worth giving it a clean. Follow the manufacturer instructions and clean blades gently if you're able to. It's a good idea to store your fan in a box or bag during cooler months to stop them gathering dust. Choosing the wrong fan As the name suggests, desk fans are usually best placed on a desk or table. They will then help you feel cool if you're working next to it. These gadgets are not too powerful and won't create a really strong breeze. So unless you're sat at the table, opt for a pedestal or tower fan which is designed to reach a larger distance in the room. How to save money on summer essentials SUNNIER days and warmer weather will leave many of us wanting to kit out gardens and outdoor areas. Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a great deal on summer essentials… It pays to know how to bag big savings on the likes of hot tubs paddling pools, egg chairs and outside bars. Many retailers have flash sales across entire ranges – often this ties into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends. Sign up to the mailing lists of your favourite brands and you'll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. Keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items such as beach gear and paddling pools. If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart and leaving it for a couple of days. Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount. Always check if you can get cashback before paying. It's especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you'll get a nice kickback.
