Tips

Improve Sleep Quality: Avoid Aiming Fan Directly at Your Body

When the temperature drops during the evening hours, you may be able to forgo running your air conditioning unit and rely solely on a circulating fan instead. If that's the case, here are a few fan hacks that can optimize your fan's cooling abilities.

Administrator

2 May, 2024

Extreme Heat Engulfs the Nation

Summer Scorcher Threatens Nationwide

Suffering Temperatures Anticipated

The relentless summer heat is blanketing the entire country during the upcoming May Day holiday, April 30th-May 1st, 2024. According to the latest forecast issued by the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting as of 4:00 PM on April 27th, the northwestern region will continue to experience extreme heat during the daytime, with some areas likely to reach dangerously high temperatures. Maximum temperatures will range from 35 to 38 degrees Celsius (95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit), with certain locations exceeding 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit). The provinces of Sơn La and Hòa Bình will experience the most extreme heat, reaching highs of 38 to 41 degrees Celsius (100 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit) and even higher in some areas. Nighttime temperatures will remain relatively warm, ranging from 25 to 28 degrees Celsius (77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit), with some areas dropping below 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit).

Northeastern Region Braces for Heatwave

In the northeastern region, the forecast for April 28th-30th predicts sweltering heat during the daytime, with some areas facing extreme temperatures. Maximum temperatures will climb between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius (95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit), potentially exceeding 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) in certain localities. Minimum temperatures will hover around 26 to 29 degrees Celsius (79 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit).

Central, Central Highlands, and Southern Regions Under Heat Advisory

The central, Central Highlands, and southern regions will also endure ongoing heat, with some areas experiencing extreme temperatures during the three-day period of April 28th-30th. Maximum temperatures may soar above 41 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) in several locations. Nighttime temperatures will range from 23 to 31 degrees Celsius (73 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit).

Effective Fan Usage in Extreme Heat

During periods of extreme heat, the demand for cooling appliances like fans inevitably surges. While running a fan at its highest setting can provide temporary relief, there are more efficient ways to utilize a fan to combat the scorching temperatures.

Tips for Optimal Fan Usage in the Evenings

Evening temperatures tend to be lower than daytime, making it possible to rely solely on fans instead of air conditioners. However, it’s crucial to know how to use a fan effectively in the evenings to maximize its cooling effects.

Experts advise against pointing a fan directly at yourself, even in extreme heat.

Many people assume that pointing a fan directly at themselves will provide the most efficient cooling. However, if you’re not using an air conditioner and have windows open, consider this alternative fan technique.

According to Nelson Lebo, an ecological design consultant from New Zealand, instead of aiming the fan at yourself, you should position it facing an open window. This is the “best, cheapest, most effective way of keeping your house cool,” says Lebo.

Lebo recommends placing the fan near a window in a shaded area of your home once the outdoor temperature begins to drop. This creates cross-ventilation, drawing cooler air from outside into your home while expelling the hot air within.

Smart fan usage can save you money on electricity.

Lebo told LadBible, “Cross-ventilation is well known to everyone, but it only works when there is a breeze, and it works best when you have a straight run-through for the air to travel through the house. What a fan does is create cross-ventilation, even when you don’t have any natural breezes in the house. The fan will also suck air around corners in your house.”

“The idea is to try to suck the hot air out and draw the cooler air in when the outside temperature has dropped below the inside temperature.”

This method also helps you conserve electricity since “a fan will hardly use any electricity compared to an air-conditioning unit,” Lebo said.

Another expert endorses this fan usage technique. Chris Michael, Managing Director of Meaco, an air treatment company in the UK, explains that this fan placement draws stale air out of a room while pulling fresh air in through the window.

Michael told Express that this not only reduces the temperature inside the house but also improves the overall air quality circulating throughout the home.

This unconventional approach is even more convenient than other solutions, such as placing ice packs in front of a fan or cooling down your sheets and blankets before bedtime.

It can also alleviate any discomfort that some people experience when sleeping with a fan blowing directly on them throughout the night.

According to the website Sleep Advisor, some individuals wake up with an excessively dry nose after a night’s sleep with a fan pointed directly at them because “the constant airflow tends to dry out your nasal passages.”

The website states that nasal dryness can affect the sinuses, sometimes leading the body to produce excess mucus. This can result in “congestion, a stuffy nose, and sinus headaches.”

The website further explains that “people who sleep with a fan blowing directly on them may wake up with stiff and achy muscles. This is because the concentrated cool air on your body can lead to muscle tension and cramping.”

Additional Fan Usage Tips for Hot Weather:

1. Avoid leaving the fan in one fixed position.

2. Refrain from directing the fan’s airflow directly at your person.

3. Utilize a timer to ensure the fan is only running when necessary.

4. Avoid sitting directly in front of a fan when perspiring heavily.

5. Regularly clean and maintain your fans.

Stay Informed

For the most up-to-date weather forecasts and warnings, please consult the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting website or follow their official social media channels.

Frequently asked questions

The northwestern and northeastern regions are predicted to bear the brunt of the extreme heat. In particular, the provinces of Sơn La and Hòa Bình in the northwest are expected to experience maximum temperatures of 38 to 41 degrees Celsius (100 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit) or even higher.

Yes, the central, Central Highlands, and southern regions will also experience ongoing heat during the three-day period of April 28-30, with some areas seeing extreme temperatures. Maximum temperatures in these regions may exceed 41 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit).

While fans can provide temporary relief, especially in the evenings when temperatures are relatively lower, it’s important not to point them directly at yourself. Instead, ecological design consultant Nelson Lebo recommends positioning a fan facing an open window to create cross-ventilation, drawing cooler air inside and expelling hot air. This technique is not only effective but also helps conserve electricity.

Yes, here are some additional tips for optimal fan usage in hot weather:
1. Avoid keeping the fan in one fixed position.
2. Refrain from directing the airflow directly at yourself.
3. Use a timer to ensure the fan runs only when needed.
4. Avoid sitting directly in front of a fan when perspiring heavily.
5. Regularly clean and maintain your fans for optimal performance.

For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting’s website or follow their official social media channels. Stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe during periods of extreme heat.