Efficiently Lower Room Temperature Faster with This Unexpected Fan Hack
In the midst of a sweltering heatwave, finding ways to keep cool at home can be a challenge. However, a clever trick that's been gaining traction on social media platforms like TikTok could offer a refreshing solution. This innovative method, known as reverse ventilation or using a fan as an exhaust fan, has been proven to be more effective than traditional fan usage in cooling a room.
The process works by creating negative pressure inside the room, which pushes warm, stale air out and draws in cooler, fresher air from outside. Positioning a fan to face out of an open window creates this cooling effect, acting as an exhaust system that removes warm, stale air from inside the room.
According to Katie, an appliance expert at AO.com, this mechanism improves air exchange and provides a genuine cooling effect, rather than just moving air around without changing the room temperature. By facing the fan outwards, the hot air that is trapped and stagnant inside the room is actively removed, which can lower the actual temperature of the room, especially during cooler parts of the day like early morning or late evening.
To get the most out of this method, create a cross-breeze by opening another window or door on the opposite side of the house. A compact yet powerful fan with three speeds, a pivoting head, and strong focused airflow is among the best fans for cooling a home this summer. Alternatively, a quiet, energy-efficient pedestal fan with adjustable height, smooth oscillation, and remote control is another great option.
It's essential to note that during the peak heat of the day, keeping windows and curtains closed and using a fan to circulate air inside, with the fan facing oneself to create a cooling breeze effect, is a better strategy. Pointing a fan at oneself does not lower the room's temperature; it only creates a wind chill effect that helps evaporate sweat from the skin.
Nicholas Auckland, a heating and energy expert with nearly 20 years of experience in the industry and the Managing Director of Trade Radiators, emphasised that the fan trick works best in the late evening or early morning when the outside air is noticeably cooler than the air inside. If the air outside is warmer or the same temperature, the method is pointless as it will draw in more heat.
The fan trick was shared by TikTok user @alexthecleaner, who demonstrated the method in a reel. Many viewers admitted they had never thought to use a fan this way, with some commenting that it felt counterintuitive but worked well. So, next time you're feeling the heat, consider giving this reverse ventilation trick a try!
- Positioning a fan to face out of an open window creates a cooling effect, acting as an exhaust system that removes warm, stale air from inside the room.
- Creating a cross-breeze by opening another window or door on the opposite side of the house enhances the cooling effect of reverse ventilation.
- A compact yet powerful fan with three speeds, a pivoting head, and strong focused airflow, or a quiet, energy-efficient pedestal fan with adjustable height, smooth oscillation, and remote control, are among the best fans for cooling a home during summer.
- During the peak heat of the day, keeping windows and curtains closed and using a fan to circulate air inside, with the fan facing oneself to create a cooling breeze effect, is a better strategy than opening windows for reverse ventilation.
- The reverse ventilation trick works best in the late evening or early morning when the outside air is noticeably cooler than the air inside, as the method is pointless if the air outside is warmer or the same temperature.
