How do you keep cool?

[pokemonsuper9]

Given the current heatwave, I'm thinking a lot about ways to keep myself and my room cool
I have put newspaper pagers covering the outside of my window (although the wind has stolen a couple pages), and I have a stand-alone air con unit that is currently blowing cool air onto me while at my work from home desk - this heat would be insufferable without it.
I've put a bucket of cold tap water in the centre of my room but I have no clue if it's doing anything, the water is still cold despite it having been there for some time (not surprising given I'd estimate it to be about 5 to 7 litres and not having much surface area).

Very interested to know about other ideas I could work with to try to keep cool, tempted to buy another air con unit by the time the next heatwave hits.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

What I'll tend to do is fill up a small spray bottle with water and spritz myself with it regularly. I find it helps a lot more than just sitting in front of a fan which is blowing hot air into your face, although having said that you'll feel the effect of the water from the spray bottle more if you sit in front of a fan afterwards.

 

[speedy1]

I've very scientifically ascertained that a pint of cider with ice provides maximum possible cooling, increasing with each pint consumed.

 

[styles]

I am considering air con.

I do all the sensible stuff - open the windows and curtains/blinds at night, close them during the day, stay hydrated, sun cream, sun hat, cover up when going outdoors, etc. But I still find myself struggling sometimes.

The main barrier to air con is the cost, as we're also saving for a log burner, an increased emergency fund, an overseas holiday, etc.

 

[martin butler]

I live in an upper floor flat, so i get a certain amount of airflow, but I also have a small air blower, that has a tank of water, and that is quite effective when directed straight at me, Proper air conditioning units are good, but expensive, and I am sceptical about the many adverts I see with some dubious new device, now only available to you at a fraction of cost, etc etc., that blows ice cold. often, they don't, and their useless,

 

[gazthomas]

Closing the curtains definitely helps

 

[Sorcerer]

That's the neat part, I don't. I can sleep in a 28c room by an open window, I've dealt with Dubai and Florida in similar temperatures, but in the UK it just hits differently, and at a certain point cooling just becomes impossible without air conditioning, especially when my room doesn't lend itself to passive cooling measures. It's a struggle to get it sorted but I'm hoping to get a split system by the end of the year.

 

[Foxhunter]

Just fwiw.

I have been surprised how pleasant it has been to do 'workstation work' outside in a shady spot. The only downside (maybe upside?) has been that the all metal garden chair discourages extended sitting.

I'll be the first to acknowledge my good fortune in having a garden of sufficient size and maturity to have a modest overhanging tree, and the means to get wifi into the space. But sitting under a tree in a park, with a tether off a 4G/5G phone may work for some. I've also noticed a couple of gardens that have sprouted a £20 gazebo with a picnic table and chair.

There has been an increase in the use of the Sports Centre and the cafe at a popular upper tier supermarket by laptop workers.

 

[styles]

Just fwiw.

I have been surprised how pleasant it has been to do 'workstation work' outside in a shady spot. The only downside (maybe upside?) has been that the all metal garden chair discourages extended sitting.

I'll be the first to acknowledge my good fortune in having a garden of sufficient size and maturity to have a modest overhanging tree, and the means to get wifi into the space. But sitting under a tree in a park, with a tether off a 4G/5G phone may work for some. I've also noticed a couple of gardens that have sprouted a £20 gazebo with a picnic table and chair.

There has been an increase in the use of the Sports Centre and the cafe at a popular upper tier supermarket by laptop workers.

I have been known to work from my shed before now. It's covered by trees and doesn't catch the sun for much of the day at all. It is close enough for Wifi, though 5G would also work.

In some ways I like going into the office just to get air con, but then people set the air con to 24 degrees celcius and then I remember why I also have to get in early to set it to a reasonable temperature to get a period of comfortable working.

 

[The exile]

Not necessarily practical in existing buildings - but is it time to mandate external shutters on new buildings- either simple French style louvres or German style rollers (which are no doubt more expensive but can be operated from inside. They don’t help counter high air temperatures like we’ve had this week, but do do a lot against solar heating and allow secure ventilation.

 

[jthjth]

I am considering air con.

I do all the sensible stuff - open the windows and curtains/blinds at night, close them during the day, stay hydrated, sun cream, sun hat, cover up when going outdoors, etc. But I still find myself struggling sometimes.

The main barrier to air con is the cost, as we're also saving for a log burner, an increased emergency fund, an overseas holiday, etc.

It cost us £3k to have two indoor units (lounge and bedroom) and one outdoor unit, fitted last autumn. Between them, with the internal doors open the entire house sits at 22C. We also use them for heating overnight in the winter. About half the cost of gas heating on Economy 7 rates. Best £3k we’ve spent in ages.

 

[Minnietheminx]

What I'll tend to do is fill up a small spray bottle with water and spritz myself with it regularly. I find it helps a lot more than just sitting in front of a fan which is blowing hot air into your face, although having said that you'll feel the effect of the water from the spray bottle more if you sit in front of a fan afterwards.

Agreed. The evaporation effect is helpful. I'd also suggest using a menthol block (4head or similar or a DIY blend of 7 or more parts menthol crystals to 1 part cocoa butter, stored in a suitable holder) before spritzing. Depending on the speed of the fan, the cooling effect can last up to an hour at a time if you use the menthol block on your neck and the inside of your wrists.

 

[styles]

It cost us £3k to have two indoor units (lounge and bedroom) and one outdoor unit, fitted last autumn. Between them, with the internal doors open the entire house sits at 22C. We also use them for heating overnight in the winter. About half the cost of gas heating on Economy 7 rates. Best £3k we’ve spent in ages.

Yeah I have considered that it might be better heating-wise as well. It'll likely pay off well in the long-term, same with solar panels, etc.

 

[gg1]

That's the neat part, I don't. I can sleep in a 28c room by an open window,

The problem for us is getting the bedroom down to that temperature, for the past two nights the upstairs temperature hasn't dropped below 31, a good 8-10 degrees warmer than the overnight temperature outside.

We've decided to invest in a portable aircon unit for the bedroom, since the aim is to merely reduce the indoor temperature to the same level as outdoors, we're hoping the open window for the outlet hose won't be a problem.

 

[Ivor]

I’ve spent the past two nights on the settee downstairs but obviously there is little space to move & not that comfortable although it’s been cooler downstairs but overall sleep has been an issue, I think I’ll be returning to the bed tonight.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

When I'm on the home computer, I have a little powerful fan than plugs into the USB port. I stay hydrated. We have a stand-up fan next to the bed. I close the bedroom curtains 1-2 hours before bedtime to screen out the sun. Usually by the time I get home from work, I'm ready for bed and fall asleep quickly

Work is a completely different ball-game; some of our rooms are 30+ degrees with no windows; other rooms have air con

 

[CaptainHaddock]

How do I keep cool? I listen to jazz......nice!

 

[GB]

I live in an upper floor flat, so i get a certain amount of airflow, but I also have a small air blower, that has a tank of water, and that is quite effective when directed straight at me, Proper air conditioning units are good, but expensive, and I am sceptical about the many adverts I see with some dubious new device, now only available to you at a fraction of cost, etc etc., that blows ice cold. often, they don't, and their useless,

Get a cheap “portable” one. £200 off Amazon etc. They are not as efficient as proper AC but good enough to chill a room you can retreat too, especially in an upper floor flat.

 

[Bevan Price]

Now retired so no need to go to work. Coolest room faces North, only gets the sun by about 18:00; draw curtains in other rooms. Do any shopping inarly morning before we get the worst of the heat. If not going out, just wear shorts inside house (avoids getting sweaty shirts)' Keep refreshed by drinking cold water and eating cold fresh fruit from fridge.

Drinking alcohol is a bad idea - it can help to dehydrate you.

 

[Trackman]

Now retired so no need to go to work. Coolest room faces North, only gets the sun by about 18:00; draw curtains in other rooms. Do any shopping inarly morning before we get the worst of the heat. If not going out, just wear shorts inside house (avoids getting sweaty shirts)' Keep refreshed by drinking cold water and eating cold fresh fruit from fridge.

Drinking alcohol is a bad idea - it can help to dehydrate you.

We have two bedrooms, one for winter and one for summer! I have posted about this before.

For me keeping cool, keep drinking ice-cold water.

Also make sure your pee is clear as the day goes on.

 

[brad465]

I have extra showers, then go infant of a fan in a towel, which is a doubly cooling effect.

Also before bed I've discovered applying Deep Freeze pain relief gel to my legs makes my whole body feel colder. This only lasts about 20-30 minutes though and shouldn't be done constantly.

 

[Russel]

I’ve spent the past two nights on the settee downstairs but obviously there is little space to move & not that comfortable although it’s been cooler downstairs but overall sleep has been an issue, I think I’ll be returning to the bed tonight.

Same here, it's not a great nights sleep, but the alternative of sleeping in the bedroom is worse!

 

[DelW]

I've put a bucket of cold tap water in the centre of my room but I have no clue if it's doing anything, the water is still cold despite it having been there for some time (not surprising given I'd estimate it to be about 5 to 7 litres and not having much surface area).

You want to encourage evaporation, so (e.g.) hanging a wet towel over an airer might be more effective. Plus if you still feel too hot, wiping a damp flannel, or the towel, over your head provides a temporary relief.

... some dubious new device, now only available to you at a fraction of cost, etc etc., that blows ice cold. often, they don't, and their useless,

There are several YouTube videos of people dismantling these to see what's in them, and mostly it's a fan, a motor, and not much else. Basic physics says that a stand alone unit* won't do any better than an ordinary fan blowing over a bowl of ice or chilled water.

*(Anything that can't dump heat to the outside of the room).

 

[Northumbriana]

I wear a leather jacket and say "ayyyyyyyy" regularly.

 

[swt_passenger]

About half the cost of gas heating on Economy 7 rates. Best £3k we’ve spent in ages.

How does that work?

 

[Trackman]

I wear a leather jacket and say "ayyyyyyyy" regularly.

I was hoping for more comments like this!
I would say after The Fonz, it must be Joe Cool, I had a t-shirt when I was a kid!

 

[jthjth]

How does that work?

Economy 7 electricity 10p/kWhr.
claimed efficiency of air conditioner 400% when heating. So each kWhr of heat costs 2.5p
Gas 5p/kWhr

Now I don’t entirely believe the claimed heat pump efficiency, it’s probably like car MPG figures. But neither is the gas boiler 100% efficient, and the claimed efficiency figures of a condensing gas boiler are only in the most optimal circumstances, again like car MPG. (Real world efficiency is measured to be around 80%).

So you can see that my claim that the air conditioner in heating mode at night is about half the cost of gas is about right.
Electricity and gas prices are what Octopus are currently charging me.

 

[Shrewbly]

I had problems with portable air con proving very awkward to hook up to the window in the bedroom, and also had some hot air coming back into the room.

I started wondering if sending hot air up the chimney might be a plan. I took the innards out of the log burner downstairs and to my joy discovered that the air con outlet hose was an exact fit for the flue up the chimney, and we've now got one much better cooled room - unfortunately not the bedroom.

If I could run another hose from outside to the air con intake it would work even better, but I haven't got that sorted yet!

 

[swt_passenger]

Economy 7 electricity 10p/kWhr.
claimed efficiency of air conditioner 400% when heating. So each kWhr of heat costs 2.5p
Gas 5p/kWhr

Now I don’t entirely believe the claimed heat pump efficiency, it’s probably like car MPG figures. But neither is the gas boiler 100% efficient, and the claimed efficiency figures of a condensing gas boiler are only in the most optimal circumstances, again like car MPG. (Real world efficiency is measured to be around 80%).

So you can see that my claim that the air conditioner in heating mode at night is about half the cost of gas is about right.
Electricity and gas prices are what Octopus are currently charging me.

Just realised, did you mean to write gas heating OR economy 7 rates? If so my post was made in error…

 

[Sorcerer]

I had problems with portable air con proving very awkward to hook up to the window in the bedroom, and also had some hot air coming back into the room.

I started wondering if sending hot air up the chimney might be a plan. I took the innards out of the log burner downstairs and to my joy discovered that the air con outlet hose was an exact fit for the flue up the chimney, and we've now got one much better cooled room - unfortunately not the bedroom.

If I could run another hose from outside to the air con intake it would work even better, but I haven't got that sorted yet!

This is a major downside to portable systems. If you move around a lot between homes or are a renter they are better than most solutions, but single-hose units have to pump the heat energy somewhere, and even when aimed outside that giant pipe will be giving off the heat that comes back into the room. They also use more electricity for less efficiency which is why I'm looking at split-system units.