Which way should I face a window fan to best cool off a room?

Question

Assuming that the air outside is cooler than the air inside the room, should a window fan exhaust the hot air out, suck in the outside air, or both (with a dual fan)? Does it make a difference whether there are other windows in the room (e.g., to create a crossbreeze, etc...)? I'm primarily asking about an attic room with large windows across from each other (one facing north, one facing south), but if there are guidelines for other types of rooms as well, I'd love to learn! What if it is just as hot outside as inside?? Does a window fan do anything then?

Answer 1

The best thing for your particular room is to put the window fan in the south facing window, open the north facing window about 4 inches and blow the air into the room when it is cooler outside. If it is hot outside then open the door to the downstairs and exhaust the air out the north facing window, drawing the air in from downstairs. Window fans do work when the temperatures are the same by blowing air across your skin and creating evaporation, making you feel cooler.

Answer 2

point it out during the day,(after the house starts warming up remember close curtains shades etc, and in during the night drawing in the cooler air