Anna K. Cottrell
Okay: You're probably reading this because you need to get cool, stat. Your home is hot, you've broken out your best cooling fan, and it just doesn't seem to be doing anything. That's the worst, TBH.
Intense heat can make the air in the house super warm, which means that even when you have a fan on, you can feel like you're just blowing around desert-hot air. Which basically defeats the point of having the fan on in the first place, right?
Luckily, there's a range of ways to make the most out of your fan, even if you don't have a fancy AF fan that does it for you. These hacks are all super low-budget, so you don't need to buy any fancy equipment and can try them right away.
Scroll on down for the best ways to get your fan to blow cold air ASAP...
Five amazing hacks for making your fan blow cold air
1. Position the fan on the floor
Hot air rises, while cool air always stays closer to the ground. That's science, people. So, if you position your fan on the floor, it's more likely to blow cooler air than if you were to put it on a desk or table.
2. Fill a bucket with ice and water bottles
I've used this hack countless times and can confirm that it really does work. All you need to do is grab a tub or bucket, fill it with ice-cold water (add ice to keep it cold), and put some bottles of ice-cold water inside the bucket. Then, direct the fan at the bucket with the water bottles. This will result in the fan blowing around cooler air around your room. Pretty smart, right?
3. Air dry laundry and point the fan at it
Want to know the good news about a heatwave? You can stop using your tumble dryer for the duration of it. And, not only will your clothes dry faster inside your home, but you can also use the laundry as a cooling aid for your fan. Simply direct the fan at the drying laundry to achieve cooler air. BTW, this is even better if you're washing large items like bedding and towels.
4. Direct your fan outside the window
This may seem counterintuitive, but trust me, directing your fan out the window instead of in your room will help you cool down the space better. This sucks the stale air out of the room, while fresh air is drawn in from the other window. By doing this, not only will you improve the air quality, but you'll ensure fresh air is circulated quickly around the room. Love it.
5. Place a box fan in the doorway
Got a box fan? They're super easy to carry around any home, and you don't need to worry about them falling over. By placing yours outwards in the doorway, you can create an exhaust effect that will push warm air out of the room, and then draw in cooler air from other rooms. Super smart. This is also a great solution if you're wondering whether you should turn the AC on at night or not.
FAQs
Do you put ice in front or behind a fan?
In front. You want the fan to be pointing directly at the ice.
Does putting a wet towel over a fan make it cooler?
In theory it will help cooling, but I don't encourage this from a safety point of view. You should never put anything over a fan, so to prevent overheating.
Why is my fan not blowing cold air?
Fans don't blow cold air naturally, as they simply move air around which creates a cooling effect. If the air is hot with a fan on, try using a dehumidifier to reduce humidify, as well as clearing the path of the fan. If you have a fan with a cooling mode, check that it's on the right setting.
Up next: 10 easy ways to cool down a hot room
