The Great 'Ways to keep cool' Hunt

Leonie

Plant trees. OK - it's not going to help this year, but long term - we're going to need the shade. My house has heavy oak tree shade at the back - I used to think it was a negative feature - now, I think it's a blessing.

Andrew101_2

Thanks for the ideas already posted, my contribution is gel-filled eye masks kept in the fridge, which are very effective. The Body Shop sell these, I think that Boots also sell them, as well as various mail order companies. I have also seen advertised a water-activated cooling pillow (in one of those "indispensable products" catalogues found in magazines). I do not have one of these, but am very tempted! I also use a "magicool" spray can, also from Boots (I do not work for Boots by the way!)

kwatt

I cheated.

Being a fridge repairer I just ordered three cheap Whirlpool aircon units that we use in the office which, besides drilling holes in the wall to run the pipework, are actually pretty easy to do even without refrigeration knowledge. You do need to be reasonably DIY/electrical competent, but it's not hard really.

I wanted one for the conservatory and two for bedrooms as they all get intolerably hot during the summer and, conversely, cold in the winter.

One of the "cheap" units that you can get fro about £250-299 will chill down a good sized 4x4m room very easily and they make a massive difference.

If you go for one of these try to get a heat pump one as then you can use it to boost heating in the winter as well, very handy.

K.

Moneymaker

DIY air conditioning!
http://www.glodark.com/airforce.htm
(This is an info site not a sales site).

In winter I buy a 5 litre plastic bottle with windscreen de-icer. In summer I fill it with cold water and take it to bed.

dippy-dora_2

Go naked?

I always find keeping a window open in 2 rooms, one at the back and one at the front causes the air to run through the place and that is quite cool.

Make paper fans as well, or buy silk ones if you are super posh.

Keep your hair tied up.

dippy-dora_2

Also if you're really hot if you lick your finger and rub it on your eyebrows, tip of nose and tips of ears you'll feel heaps cooler - another trick is place something metal on the base of your spine for 15 second - i'm full of useless information i know but it does work.

cmawp

As my lecturer in human response to thermal environments (Professor Ken Parsons, Loughborough univ.) used to say:

"If you're hot in the summer, go to the supermarket!"

So, if you're suffering in the heat of the day, just head down to your supermarket to do your weekly shop. Be sure to read Martins advice on avoiding spending too much at the supermarket though or it could be expensive. Perhaps use it to do some cost investigation of your own instead of going online - computers create heat too!

JBEILBY

In answer to outside window blinds - we had one installed last spring outside our lounge as we face south. We have the sun all day so the room is always like a furnace. I was sceptical that it would lower the room's temperature. I can say that it does by at least 10 degrees. What's more it stops the harmful rays so if you do want to sit out under it you can do so safely. It is expensive but buy when they advertise their sales in the autumn. Better than the aircon units with hoses. Defeats the object opening the window to put the hose out thus letting all the hot air in????

richardc1983

If your going to buy portable a/c units, please read my posts in the following thread for advice etc.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=372792&highlight=air+conditioning


DONT GO FOR THE CHEAP CHEAP UNITS YOU SEE at b&q there is one unit i recommend from there in one of the posts. Anything under 12,000btu will not be suitable for an average sized room etc.

Please pm if you need advice I am happy to help you and make recommendations.

volare

I hate hot weather

Bathe palms/wrists (and ankles if you can manage it) in cool water - way I think of it, blood's close to the skin there and cools quicker. (There's a new gadget out for athletics training that does this!).. Alternatively wrap your hand round something cold (cold can, bottle etc).

Those boxy "air con" units with the water in, useless. Far better off with a normal cheapo fan and as many have said, for an extra boost pop a frozen bottle in front. Alternatively wet down your arms/legs/face from time to time with ordinary fan on you, or lay wet flannel over your knees!

I've tried the "water pillow" thing someone mentioned, mine's called a "Chillow". Got a valve on it like a beach ball, you open it, pour in water, it soaks into the sponge filling, press out air, seal, voila. It's almost too cold to use in/as a pillow but flippin lovely to pop behind your back sitting on the sofa (watch for chilled kidneys! owie).... or rest your feet on.