The expert says we’ve been using our fans wrong in a heat wave

This week will see plenty of warm and sunny weather across much of the UK, and as great as that is for those wanting to get out and socialise, it can be a real nightmare when you’re trying to sleep.

The intense heat can make it seem impossible to stay cool and comfortable in bed and at home, as many homes are not well equipped to cope with the higher temperatures.

Fortunately, fans are very useful here. And according to heating experts, there are some simple tricks to make them even more effective, allowing you to sleep comfortably through the night.

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Andy Kerr, founder of heating company BOXT, says that for those who struggle to sleep when it’s hot, using the fan correctly can be a big help – and making just one adjustment is a good way to make it work even better .

If your fan is on the ceiling or on a stand, setting it to rotate counterclockwise is the perfect way to make sure it doesn’t distribute hot air. Andy said: “Tower fans are also recommended as their oscillating switches work by creating a cooling wind effect rather than lowering the temperature of a room.

“Also, you can place a shallow bowl of ice, ice packs, or a frozen water bottle behind the fan, which can be very effective at quickly cooling a room.”

If you don’t have a fan around but still want to cool off at night, there are plenty of other ways you can do it. One of these is as simple as blocking out any sunlight during the day by closing the curtains or blinds.

Andy added: “It’s also wise to open internal doors if you’re trying to cool a room, as this will maximize airflow around the house. It’s counter-intuitive to use heat-generating appliances in a room you’re trying to cool, so keep that in mind before you decide to use ovens, hair dryers or other electrical appliances.”

Finally, creating a cross breeze with your windows is another very effective way to cool a room quickly, according to the expert.

If you have two windows aligned with each other or positioned diagonally, keep them both open. You can also place a fan in front of each window, with one fan blowing air from outside while the other window is reversed and blowing air outside.

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