Anyone have any ideas on how to COOL a room WITHOUT using an A/C window unit?

Question

Hi,

FIRST: Serious answers only please, I can't stand people who mindlessly post irrelevant comments!

I'm currently living in Southern CA and the summer is going to be hot like last year...and I'm living in an apartment that has windows that are such that an A/C window untis cannot be used. I know that there are "stand alone" A/C units tha can cool a room, but they are beyond by budget. Also, I don't plan on staying in this apartment much longer and would not have use for the stand alone unit in the future.

I have been told that there are "fans" that you can add ice and water to and that it will make the air a little bit cooler if you're directly in the line of the air current. Has anyone used one of these units or know about them? I have to spend a lot of time at my desk this summer and want to find a way to make this tolerable in June and July!

Thanks for your help!!!

Answer 1

What you are referring to is a mister system. It adds a mist of water to a fan. It is like being sweaty and standing in a breeze. The air going across your damp skin creates a feeling of coolness. Stirring up the air has typically the same effect.

Answer 2

I wasn't aware they had small units like that, I 've only seen larger units used for outdoor events and outdoor bars.

You might try investing in some window tinting. Won't totally block out the light, but it will certainly cut down on the heat transference through the glass.

You didn't say if the rest of your Apt has air conditioning or not. Install a ceiling fan, or buy a floor model oscillating fan, put a towel/ice on the back of your neck.

Good luck to ya! I'm in South Carolina and these are all things I've done to lower the house temp & body temp at times.

Answer 3

It looks bad but you can put aluminum foil over the window to reflect the radiant heat out of the window and it should help some. Switch your lightbulbs over to compact flourescents, make sure you have some method of circulating air in the room or the area will become stagnant. If you have an ice maker you can get some ice and put it infront of a fan and use that to cool the room.