If you haven't noticed already, the heat is making a comeback, with parts of the UK set to see temperatures climb to 30°C and beyond over the next week. However, before you rush out and spend hundreds on a portable air conditioner, grab your fan and try this simple trick instead.
The best fans don't actually lower the temperature of a room – they cool you by circulating air across your skin, helping sweat evaporate more quickly. The problem is, if your room is already full of warm air, your fan is simply moving that hot air around, which isn't going to make the space feel much cooler.
Instead, try pointing your fan out of an open window or towards the doorway of your room. It might sound counterintuitive, but this helps push the hot air outside, allowing cooler evening air to flow back in naturally. It's a simple way to improve ventilation and stop your room from holding onto heat long after the sun has gone down.
I first came across this trick on TikTok and mentioned it in a recent article about the three things that helped me survive the last UK heatwave. Since trying it for myself, I've completely changed the way I use my fan, and it's especially effective in the evening when the house has been soaking up heat all day.
If you're looking for even more ways to stay cool overnight, check out our guide to the three best ways to position your fan for sleeping comfortably during a UK heatwave.
