How to cool a room without air conditioning: salvation from the summer heat

Systematic ventilation of the room

Creating a constant flow of air can lower the temperature in the room. Remember some points:

• The lowest temperature is recorded in the time period from 4 to 7 am. It is at this time that it is worth saturating the room with freshness and coolness. If you can’t imagine how you can wake up so early, then open the windows the night before at 22.00-22.30.

• Ventilation is perhaps the most effective way to cool down, if you don’t break your schedule.
• If you open the windows at 12-16 o'clock, you will only worsen the situation, because the room will be filled with scalding air.

Rules for choosing climate control equipment for home and office

To get maximum benefits, you should know how to choose a split system with automatic temperature control. The following factors are taken into account:

• type of device: window, duct, cassette, wall-mounted or mobile;
• compressor features: regular or inverter, the latter option being preferable due to the ability to change the voltage and thereby reduce current consumption;
• power level;
• energy efficiency class;
• overall dimensions of the indoor unit;
• presence of additional functions: dehumidification, purification, air ionization.

When making a selection, you should give preference to models only from trusted manufacturers, including the brands Haier, Energolux, Mitsubishi, Ballu and Roayl Clima. In addition to the aesthetic appeal of the equipment, special attention should be paid to the technical characteristics, which are set out in the operational passport.

Attention! To achieve high accuracy of temperature maintenance, you should use only reliable sensors that differ in resistance and climatic design.

Systematic humidification of the apartment

• To cool a room by 2-5 degrees in hot weather, regularly humidify the air. This can be done using an ordinary spray.
• The heat is felt even more strongly if the humidity in the house is low, but high humidity is also not acceptable. The main thing is the right balance.
• To cool down, you can hang wet clothes around the room or spray water on the curtains from a spray bottle.
• Place containers of water around the perimeter, and if desired, you can flavor it with a few drops of aromatic oils of citrus, mint or lavender.
• We recommend filling the dishwashing detergent container with running water. Spray the liquid over the entire area of ​​the apartment every hour. And for greater effect, spray a little liquid on yourself. With evaporation, the body will noticeably cool.

Solutions

The obvious solution is a household appliance to maintain a comfortable temperature, an air conditioner. It is a heat pump, a machine for pumping thermal energy from one point to another. Since electricity is spent only on the operation of the compressor, the useful thermal power of the air conditioner (the amount of kilowatts of heat that the device is capable of transporting per unit of time) significantly exceeds its electrical power.

However, here’s the sad thing: the absolute minimum that can be set to maintain household air conditioners is 16 degrees.

We need a significantly lower temperature. How can this be ensured?

Refrigeration unit

Industrially produced devices of this type are still the same heat pump.

• The compressor compresses freon gas. When compressed, it, remembering the physical laws, obediently heats up; excess heat is transferred to the radiator and blown away from it by a large fan.
• Having passed the radiator of the condensation part of the device, liquid freon is supplied through the expansion valve into a tube of a significantly larger diameter. The pressure drops and the liquid immediately turns into a gaseous state. At the same time, in full agreement with the notorious laws of physics, it cools; blowing the evaporator radiator sharply increases the amount of heat that freon takes from the environment.

Of course, a specialized refrigeration unit for a cellar has some differences from a household air conditioner.

1. The temperature range is shifted closer to the bottom of the thermometer column . Typically the temperature is maintained from -5 to +12 degrees.
2. Significantly less attention is paid to the external design of the unit, since it is focused on industrial conditions . Many refrigeration units do not have housings; The compressor and condenser with forced air flow are mounted on a steel frame, the design of which allows for installation on a separate foundation. The evaporator is a separate device connected by copper lines.

The thermal power of industrial installations can be tens of kilowatts.

crazy hands

Refrigeration equipment for a cellar can be not only industrial, but also homemade.

The author came across a very interesting report on the construction and operation of such a device.

• The donor of the compressor and radiators was an old refrigerator. The case was carefully opened, the freon tubes were cut through.
• The compressor and condenser were located above the cellar level, in a barn built above it. The evaporator is in the coolest room. Forced airflow of both heat exchangers was organized.

• New copper tubing connected the system components with the assistance of a refrigerator repair specialist. He also filled the system with freon.
• The condensate was drained in the simplest way - with a hose into a 20-liter canister.
• To adjust the operating mode, a simple timer was used. The device was set to a mode in which an hour of continuous operation of the compressor was replaced by an hour of downtime.

What was the design capable of, the price of which, taking into account the payment of specialist services, was no more than two thousand rubles?

The temperature in the cellar, according to the designer, on the hottest days did not rise above +9 degrees.

The cellar is completely dry due to the condensation of water on the evaporator. Condensation on the walls of the basement is forgotten like a bad dream. If at first a 20-liter canister was filled in a week, then at the time of publication of the report it had to be emptied only once per season.

Water cooling

A study of medieval construction in the Middle East brought an interesting discovery: it turns out that air conditioning systems are much older than is commonly thought. The so-called “wind catchers”, towers that looked very much like deflectors on chimneys, served to cool the air inside the building.

Using foil to cool a room

Oddly enough, this material copes well with high temperatures.

• Buy rolls of 5 meters or more.
• This material should be glued to walls or windows on any side. To achieve maximum effect, cover the entire glass area.
• This method is especially relevant if you live in an apartment whose windows face the southwest and south. It is there that the greatest intensity of sunlight is observed.
• You can also use foil to cool your house in hot weather because the material prevents the sun from penetrating carpets, furniture and other interior elements, the heating of which causes an increase in temperature.
• Research by scientists has proven that any room is heated not just by the air, but by the objects on which the rays fall. Heated objects exchange heat with the air, which is what causes suffocating heat in the house.
• The only negative is the aesthetic component. Foil pasted on walls and glass does not add beauty to the interior.

Turn off the light

The simplest and most logical way to cool a room is to block light. Not just direct sunlight, but light in general. This is worth doing even in cloudy weather. The fact is that thermal (infrared) radiation enters the room not only directly from the sun, but also in a diffuse form through the clouds .

To do this, it is best to install white, iron or fabric blinds. Regular curtains are less effective. The lighter the barrier, the better it reflects thermal radiation. You can also cover the glass with food foil. But there is a minus - it reflects IR radiation into the room, worsening the cooling of the room at night.

Blackout curtains

Thick curtains not only give the room coziness and beauty, but also help regulate the air temperature.

• Starting at 8:00 a.m. or even earlier, draw the curtains tightly to keep the sun's rays out.
• Buy thick, heavy curtains and cover windows facing south.

Interesting! Curtains are considered impenetrable if not a single ray of light penetrates through the straightened fabric.

• Do not buy products made from synthetic materials, as they will make the heat worse when heated.

The principle of operation of a refrigeration unit for a cellar

Since ancient times, people have stored food for a long time in underground premises. Such cellars were usually deepened into the ground, where the coolness so necessary for food supplies was naturally maintained.

With the development of technology, the refrigeration unit for the cellar is becoming more and more widespread, which is becoming a successful alternative to the construction of traditional cellars from earth or building materials.

Such systems have already been introduced abroad, while here they are just beginning to become widespread.

Refrigerators have a fairly high price range, and their operation requires constant electricity consumption. But the financial costs of the initial stage are more than repaid with their continued use.

With such storage, there is no need to build a separate structure, pay builders for earthworks, install thermal insulation, and so on.

The refrigeration unit, no matter what its size, can accommodate a sufficient volume of products, comparable to a small cellar.

If we talk about purchasing a powerful air conditioner, which theoretically can provide an optimal microclimate for the cellar, then in terms of reliability and durability, refrigeration units for the cellar have a significant advantage over split systems. It is better to install air conditioners and air cooling systems in above-ground residential premises.

Cooling blinds

If you don’t want to cover your windows with foil, you can easily replace them with blinds.

• Thin stripes, closed all day, block up to 90% of sunlight.
• Decide on the material from which the strips will be made. For maximum sun absorption, it is better to choose wooden ones.
• Blinds should be effectively washed at least a couple of times a year.
• To create a cozy atmosphere, choose fabric vertical Roman blinds.

Features of refrigeration equipment

A refrigeration system installed in the cellar is a rational solution and a smart choice for the economical owner of a country house. It is designed to store any products, which can significantly save the family budget on regular purchases in stores.

There is an opinion that you can take several simple refrigerators or even freezers to store food. This is precisely the disadvantage of conventional equipment, which holds a volume of 400-450 liters of product. When harvesting crops, even of medium size, such space is clearly not enough.

Getting rid of unnecessary things

Have you noticed that in the summer it’s a pleasure to walk on the bare, cool floor?

• The solution to the problem is to get rid of the carpet and send it for cleaning. It is this that becomes a light reflector that prevents coolness from the floor from penetrating into the room.
• If you have wall hangings, it is best to remove and clean them as well.
• When removing the floor covering, check the condition of the floor. If it is too wet, fungus may appear on the surface. Remove mold and treat surfaces with primer.

Refrigeration unit device

Manufacturers make modern equipment from special panels of polyurethane foam of a given thickness. Penoplex and expanded polystyrene are also used as heat insulators. The location where the installation will take place is determined at the stage of construction of a residential building.

To maintain optimal temperature conditions in the chamber, it is necessary to use special devices called refrigeration machines. They can be in the form of a monoblock or a separate system.

Monoblocks

A monoblock is a product manufactured in a single body in production. This design contains all the elements and components necessary for operation - compressor, air cooler and others.

Separate system

This type of installation involves several blocks. The system is divided into: split systems and powerful air conditioners, and prefabricated refrigeration equipment, which are manufactured according to an individual project.

For a cellar, the optimal solution is a prefabricated refrigeration unit, which is made to order and therefore has maximum efficiency.

Assembled in a given specific configuration, such an installation can be highly reliable, easy to maintain, small in size and silent. An air conditioner or split system, although made at the factory, must be selected depending on the area of ​​the room.

Homemade air conditioner

It is possible to cool the room with a fan; for this you will need several liters of running water.

1. Fill bottles or bowls with water and place them in the freezer for 3-4 hours.
2. After the water has turned into ice, remove it from the freezer and place it near the fan so that the air currents from the blades blow across the ice.
3. Fans that cool the room will help after just 5 minutes of operation.
4. To prolong the effect, periodically replace the melting containers with new ice ones.

Interesting! Ventilation devices that cool air work by moving air from one side to the other, and during operation their motor gets very hot. Only use them when you are in the room.

Cold generator for cellar

Thanks to modern technologies, the use of split refrigeration systems for use in cellars and basements of private houses is becoming increasingly popular.
In most cases, a cellar (wine) or basement requires SPECIALIZED high-temperature (+2 to + 15°C) refrigeration units of the split system type, designed to operate 24/7, with high power.

If you decide to buy a refrigeration unit for a cellar or basement and want it to serve you long and reliably, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the following information:

Interesting alternative

It is difficult to cool down without air conditioning and a fan, but there is still an alternative. You can see her in Brazilian TV series. The device is called a ceiling fan. This expensive pleasure (price about 4,000 rubles) is absolutely silent, does not create drafts and does not heat the room with the motor.

Unfortunately, there is no ideal weather. Using the proposed methods, you can cool your living space and increase your level of living comfort in the summer.

Requirements

First, let's find out which mode is optimal for the cellar.

For storing most garden crops, the optimal temperature range is from +1 to +12 degrees. When this value is exceeded, the activity of aerobic bacteria sharply increases, which quickly and efficiently process the richest harvest into a monotonous rotting mass. At temperatures below zero, water begins to crystallize, as a result of which the cell membranes of the fruit are damaged; as a result, they lose their natural taste.

What about humidity? Typically, a range of 80-95 percent is considered optimal. Too dry air will cause fruits and vegetables to quickly evaporate their own moisture; As a result, your reserves will not rot, but will dry out.

Let us clarify: this applies only to those products that are stored open, without sealed containers. When it comes to home canning, a simple rule applies: the lower the humidity in the cellar, the better.

How realistic is it to maintain such a regime in the summer heat?

Possible breakdowns

Every user should know that it is necessary to use a split system for heating according to the instructions. The main reasons for frequent breakdowns are improper use of the device and non-compliance with temperature conditions. Situations often arise when, after pressing the necessary buttons and selecting the desired mode, the heat does not flow. There can be many reasons for this and they definitely need to be checked. The following phenomena are not uncommon:

• The batteries in the control panel do not work;
• the sensor does not respond well to the device;
• there are violations in the operation of software;
• severe damage to the air conditioner.

The most common cause of device failure is a malfunction of the batteries in the remote control, so many people think that they were given a defective device. Solving the problem is very simple, just change them for new ones and start the device again.

If the problem lies in a sensor malfunction, then in this case you will not be able to solve it yourself. It is best to return the device under warranty or call a repairman. If the air conditioner's warranty is still valid, then the air conditioner must be replaced with a new one or the sensor equipment must be replaced.

All this makes it clear that there are problems that urgently need to be solved before the device breaks down completely. Therefore, it is better not to try to repair the device yourself, but to contact a service center.

When the equipment completely stops working, if it was used for other purposes or was frequently rebooted, repairs for such problems will be expensive, and it is better to think about buying a new air conditioner.

Important information about temperature limits

For the cold season there are important restrictions. You cannot turn on the heating when the outside temperature is below 0 C°, otherwise the following problems will begin:

• the condensate on the external heat exchanger begins to freeze, so the outdoor unit begins to become covered with ice;
• as a result, heat transfer deteriorates;
• heating performance decreases.

At what temperature exactly can you turn on the air conditioner for cooling? It is important to ensure that it does not fall below +5 C°. If it is violated, the following may happen:

• the performance of climate control equipment will decrease;
• freezing will occur in the structure of the street block and drainage pipe;
• The compressor may break down during startup.

Air conditioner operating diagram

Send rugs, carpets and sofa cushions to the closet

Rugs or carpets lying on the floor, thick bedspreads, and sofa cushions quickly absorb heat, which helps maintain high temperatures in the room. Such things are appropriate in the cold season, so it is better to put them away for the summer.

In addition, large quantities of dust settle on carpets, especially in summer. It prevents air circulation and cooling. It is better to free the room from all things that accumulate heat by carefully putting them in the closet (there is no need to throw them away, as many people advise).

Turning off the lights when they are not needed (+ replacing light bulbs)

Lighting devices can heat the air in a room in a short time. Therefore, light sources should be used only when there is a need for them. This way you can stay cool and save on electricity.

Another life hack is to replace conventional incandescent lamps with more modern ones. Since the former heat up quickly, increasing the air temperature, it is better to use other types of lamps with a minimum heating level. These are:

• LED bulbs;
• fluorescent (luminescent).

Note: it is better to give preference to LED products, especially if there are suspended ceilings.

Main problems

If you accidentally or intentionally turn on a regular air conditioner in severe frost, this can lead to big problems. The complexity of the breakdown depends on the mode of use and on what temperature was outside at the time of switching on. If you turn on the device for heating the apartment when it is -5 ° C outside, the outdoor unit will begin to become covered with ice, as it will release condensation. Heat transfer will deteriorate and heat output will decrease. Refrigerant may enter the compressor and damage the unit.

The compressor's performance will drop, leading to serious damage.

Winter set

There is a winter kit for air conditioning. which helps to avoid problems (in some air conditioner models it is installed initially). His tasks include:

• Automatic switching on/off of the winter set;
• Warming up the compressor sump;
• Heating of the drainage tube;
• Fan rotation speed adjustment.

The winter set operates from power supply. But his consumption is insignificant. Much less than an air conditioner. Power consumption can vary between 25-70 W.

Air conditioning with and without a winter set - the difference is immediately visible.

Application of mirror film for window openings

The main task of mirror films is to protect the room from overheating. This is achieved by inhibiting ultraviolet radiation. Light transmittance indicators depend on the type of film.

Additionally, the reflective film creates the effect of one-way visibility, but it is present only when the light is brighter outside (thus, during the day you cannot see through the window what is happening inside the room).

Types of mirror films:

• interior and exterior;
• classic (light, dark) and colored.

Turn off household appliances

To feel comfortable at home, you need to turn off all heat-producing appliances, if possible. Otherwise, even without this, the hot room will heat up further. The radiators and heated towel rails should be turned off. They can be powered by electricity or hot water.

Each thermal or heating device produces up to 400 W of heat. This is enough to heat a small bathroom, so it is best to avoid them during hot weather.

Electrical appliances also emit heat, albeit in fairly small quantities. It is recommended to replace incandescent lamps with energy-saving ones. Just 5 ordinary lamps can generate as much heat as one small radiator. Incandescent light bulbs cause discomfort in hot weather and consume a lot of electricity, so replacing them is a great solution.

Hot air travels through the house much faster than cold air. When cooking for a long time, close the door to the kitchen. If possible, during periods of abnormally high temperatures, do not use a stove or kettle; cook food in the microwave.

It is important to drink plenty of water and eat watery fruits

In the heat, the body loses a lot of fluid, so you should take care of its regular supply. Water should be consumed as often as possible in small doses - about 100 ml at a time. The average amount of water per day is 2-3 liters.

Thanks to this, the increased air temperature will be felt less. You can check it yourself...

Vegetables and fruits with a high water content will also help replenish fluid reserves. They can be eaten fresh, or prepared into salads and fresh juices. This way you will be able to avoid dehydration and saturate your body with useful elements.

List of watery foods:

• watermelons;
• cucumbers;
• tomatoes;
• melons;
• oranges;
• grapefruits;
• papaya.

Note: Excessive fluid intake is prohibited for people with cardiovascular and kidney diseases.

Turn on the “AUTO” function: step-by-step instructions

Despite the fact that this function has a complex technical meaning and independently “selects” the necessary actions, its purpose is to facilitate the operation of the split system. It turns on very simply:

1. We connect the equipment to the network, i.e. Insert the cord and plug into the outlet. A characteristic signal may sound and the device’s blinds should return to their initial position;
2. Using the remote control, press the “ON/OFF” button;
3. Then press the “Mode” button several times so that the word “Auto” or the automatic mode indicator lights up on the remote control (can be indicated as a triangle, in the form of various circular arrows or the letter “A”). Each press of the button “responds” with a sound signal.
4. Some models suggest the ability to change the temperature for the specified mode. We change it using the “+”/“-” keys, respectively increasing or decreasing the required temperature.

Important!

Some air conditioner models can start immediately after plugging the plug into the socket. In this case, skip the second step (do not press the “ON/OFF” button). The fan speed is also displayed on the remote control of all air conditioners. This fan can have automatic speed. Those. “auto” may appear on the display, which refers specifically to the fan speed, and not to the “auto” mode

It is important to distinguish these two settings!