You've just come back home from work, and the heat outside makes you sweat profusely. Most likely, the first thing you'll do is dive into your comfy couch to lounge around with a glass of juice. You will turn on the fan but notice it doesn't provide you with the right amount of cooling effect. Don't worry! We have rounded up solutions and tips to improve the performance of your fans! 

While fans do not necessarily make a room colder like an AC does, they do provide cool ventilation to the people at which they are aimed. To increase that cooling effect, try doing the following and see what's best for your home:

• Put some ice in front of the fan
• Hang a damp cloth in front of the fan
• Set the ceiling fan on a counterclockwise motion
• Adjust the double-sash windows
• Create cross ventilation in the room using window fans
• Use a humidifier with your fan
• Clean the fans regularly

Whether or not you have already invested in an AC system, you need not suffer from sweltering temperatures during the summer. Although fans are no match for air conditioners, there are proven ways to crank up the power of these appliances to give you that much-needed relief. Stick around to learn more.

7 Ways to Make a Fan Blow Cold Air

Put some ice in front of the fan

This can be the easiest yet effective way to give yourself refreshing, cold air. Simply prepare some crushed ice or ice cubes in a bowl or bucket then place it directly in front of the fan. The ice melts as the air passes through, producing a stream of cool air. You can also hang two or more perforated bottles filled with ice behind the blade guard of the fan. The fan will absorb the cool mist and blow it towards you.

This method, however, is ideal only for short-range ventilation and not in large spaces. Hence, you should be close by to get the most out of the fan-bowl combo. 

Hang a damp cloth in front of the fan

Using a wet cloth is another creative way to build an evaporative cooler. Hang a wet cloth, wrung just enough so it will not drip, in front of the fan. As the fan blows the air out, it will circulate through the cloth to produce cold air. For an extra cooling experience, use a cloth soaked in ice-cold water but make sure it's not dripping!

Set the ceiling fan on a counterclockwise motion

The direction of the motion of the ceiling fan affects how the air circulates in a room. During the summer, set the spinning of the fan's blades on a counterclockwise direction. With this direction, the blades can push the cold air down to create a cool breeze. You need not worry because reversing the direction of a ceiling fan is easy. 

Ceiling fans can significantly improve the flow of cold air inside the house with the air conditioner on. More than that, the use of ceiling fans lessens the work of your AC. As a result, it can help reduce your monthly energy costs. 

Adjust the double-sash windows

The speed of a fan does not always guarantee cold air. In fact, the quality of air that fans blow depends also on how air moves in and out of the house due to pressure. Double-sash windows (aka double-hung windows) are specifically designed to direct airflow inside a room. 

Open the bottom sash to allow cold air to pass through. Open the top sash to let the warm air from the inside move out. This in general will help your fans perform much better. 

If you want to keep the sashes open, we suggest putting a screen on your window to keep insects from your house. 

Create cross ventilation in the room using window fans

Regulating the inner temperature of your house requires an understanding of pushing hot air out and pulling cooler air inside. To accelerate this process to your advantage, put two fans in strategic locations within a room. 

Place one window fan, facing inwards, to force cool air into the room. The position of the fan is important here, so it must be placed on the shady side of the house. The other window fan should be installed on the opposite side of the space to push away stifling air. This then creates a current of air across the room. The more fans you install, the better. 

Window fans can also be reliable should you wish to reduce your reliance on air-conditioning. 

Planning to install window fans? Check this reversible airflow fan on Amazon.

Use a humidifier with your fan

A humidifier helps keep the air in your room circulating, creating better ventilation. It also helps chill and moisten the air that you breathe. While a humidifier adds moisture in the air, it is the work of a fan to move that air around the room. Contrary to popular belief, fans do not cancel out the role of a humidifier. 

Check out this humidifier best for large rooms on Amazon.

To enjoy the benefits of using a humidifier during summer, the appliance is best placed near the center of a room and far from a thermostat. Read more about using a fan and a humidifer together: Can You Use A Fan With A Humidifier At The Same Time? 

Clean the fans regularly

Dirt buildup on any fans reduces their efficiency, that is, their ability to regulate airflow. This is because dirt and dust add extra weight on their blades, causing them to spin more slowly.

Similarly, any type of fans used at home should be cleaned regularly to prevent this buildup. Keep your fans performing at their best by lubricating and cleaning their blades thoroughly at least once a month. 

Check out this dust-repelling spray on Amazon.

Check out this ceiling fan duster on Amazon.

Aside from the abovementioned tips, you can maximize the use of curtains to block excessive sunlight entering your house. Consider using white curtains to keep the room cooler because white fabric reflects heat energy. 

Different Types of Fans to Beat the Steamy Summer?

Several types of fans are available on the market to fit your style and needs. Fans are staple appliances at home, providing comfort especially during our relaxation and sleeping time. Besides ceiling fans, here is a list of fans and their ideal places of use:

Table fans

These are small and compact fans best used in small spaces. They can be  placed on countertops, desks, and other platforms.

See this small fan on Amazon.

Pedestal fans

These tall, adjustable, oscillating fans are perfect for cooling living rooms and bedrooms. 

Check out this remote-controlled pedestal fan on Amazon.

Window fans

As mentioned earlier, these fans help create cross ventilation in a room and work best in pairs to get rid of stuffy air.  

Wall mount fans

Using a wall fan is a great way to keep your room cool and to save space at the same time. Aside from the living room, these are best installed in garages, outdoor patios, home gyms, and other places where space is limited.

Check out this wall mount fan on Amazon.

Misting fans

Suitable for outdoor areas, these fans release misty air to create a chilling breeze. 

Check out this misting fan on Amazon.

How Much Electricity Does a Fan Use?

On average, a fan has a wattage of 39.3W on high. Among all types of fans used at home, ceiling fans are said to have the lowest operating wattage. Next to it is a table or standing fan.

To compute for the approximate amount of electricity a fan uses, use this formula: kWh = Fan Wattage x Duration of Use (in hrs) /1,000.

Is it okay to have a fan on all night?

Although fans provide comfort during sleep, using it overnight may sometimes be unhealthy. This is true for people who have allergies or asthma. While a fan help improve air circulation around the room, it also continuously moves pollen and dust, which, when inhaled, could cause breathing difficulty. It is therefore imperative to make sure that when using a fan, its blades are clean and that the room is free from excessive dust and allergens. 

In Closing

While many think that summer is perfect for outing, hiking, and swimming, surely everybody hates the sticky and stuffy feeling that summer heat causes. Beating that summer heat inside your home by upgrading your fans need not be expensive. The most creative solutions and materials to stay cool are readily available at home. You just need to get started!

Did you find this article practical? See other helpful tips from these posts:

Air Conditioning Vs Open Windows At Night: Which Is Best?

Does Opening Windows Increase Humidity?