We've got an old house with no air conditioning. It's about 98 degrees outside and the house is getting HOT. We've got fans running in the rooms we are in and turn them off when we leave the room. Should we leave the windows open to help get air circulating (but let in the outside heat), or close them (keeping the already hot air in, but the super hot oustide air out)?
Best answer could help lots of people during all these heat waves.
Thanks.
2006-07-22 07:55:06 · 22 answers · asked by rkuder25 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Leave the windows closed with the fans on is just about your best bet. I have been in that situation. Actually it was about a week ago. Good luck!
2006-07-22 07:59:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The most important thing to do is close all of the blinds and curtains to keep out the sun. That makes a HUGE difference. Think about a car parked in the shade as opposed to being left in the sun. There's about a 20 degree difference inside. You probably will need to close the windows to keep the curtains from blowing around. Then, Maybe find two windows in the shade and open them for cross-ventilation and put a big box fan or window fan facing out to pull the fresh air through the house. Even with central air I keep the blinds closed during the day. I saw some people said to open the windows at night to cool off the house. Good idea too.
2006-07-22 08:07:01 · answer #2 · answered by cocoanutt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the same situation. I only open the windows if the outside temp is the same or lower than inside.
In the evening as the outside temp drops to what it is inside, I open all the windows (and even the front door which has a lockable screen door).
I let it cool all night, and in the morning I keep a check on when the outside temp starts up towards the inside temp. Depending how fast the temp starts up I'll close the windows when the outside temp gets within (still lower than) about 4 to 8F of the inside temp.
At that point I keep a check on whether the inside temp keeps going down or back up. As is starts back up all windows get closed.
To help with that, I have wall 'atomic' clocks, that don't just give me the time, but the inside and outside temps (with external temp senders that come with the clocks) on an ongoing basis.
BTW, looking at some of the other answers, most have NO idea what they are talking about. Fans will NOT cool the air. But by moving the air, your body's perspiration evaporates better, making you feel cool. In fact running the fan will add a little heat from the motor to the air. That's why you shut the fans off when no one is in the room. Opening the windows with the temp outside high will just about fry you. Well, you decide.
2006-07-22 08:05:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Open the windows. Put the fan in the window. I know you will be pulling in hot air, but you have to have circulation and air flow. The fan will cool the air a tiny bit, but the important thing in that situation is the air flow. UGH! Hope that helps! I'm in Texas and it has been 110 all week long. I don't know what I would do without A/C. Good Luck!
2006-07-22 07:59:46 · answer #4 · answered by wannabeteacher 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on several factors. If your house is shaded by trees and if your house sits on a slab or has a very cool basement you should find that keeping your windows shut will keep the house much cooler than the outside temperature. If your in direct sun light you would be best severed by opening the widows get the fans fired up to keep the air moving. Good luck.
2006-07-22 08:06:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok:
here is what you do...to stay cool
keep shades closed
windows closed
fans running
now this is the whole trick to keeping cool;
at night only .....open windows on second floor not bottom[safety concerns]
try to close the windows draw the shades/curtains
before the sunshine beats into your home...
this will keep the house very cool
you say right now you are very hot?
for today close curtains.....windows...run fans till it cools off some
if it gets too bad go to basement it is usually cooler there...
the side of the house where the sun shines in have to be kept closed not the ones where the sun isn't shining in that brightly..
plus drink plenty of cold water iced if you can plus try putting cold washcloths on the back of your neck for today..
the key is to keep the sun from cooking you today from now on shades closed.window...
windows closed......shades closed....hope you are ok..
2006-07-22 08:04:04 · answer #6 · answered by Linnie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Open them at night to let in the cool air, close during the day to shut out the heat. Use the fans at night to help pull in the cool air. Use them during the day to move the air inside the house.
2006-07-22 07:59:53 · answer #7 · answered by fishing66833 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should leave the windows open so you can get fresh air inside the house. Use a lot of fans. I'd invest in an air conditioner though!
2006-07-22 07:59:38 · answer #8 · answered by Thomas G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea behind fans is to circulate the air. unless the fans have a cooling unit on them allowing natural breezes into the home will increase the cooling effect. If you can let in breezes and keep sunlight blocked that would be the best.
2006-07-22 08:00:50 · answer #9 · answered by weebles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At night if it is cool enough, your windows should be open. Then in the morning when it starts to warm up, close all windows and curtains if possible. Fans can be left on where you are at, to circulate the air.
2006-07-22 07:59:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep them closed, the air inside will become too hot with a constant heat source. From experience the air inside may eventually cool, but it's important to check from time to time to see if it's hotter inside than it is outside. Best of luck staying cool, try to stay cool also by drinking a lot of cold water.
2006-07-22 08:01:39 · answer #11 · answered by UnderGrad Student 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋