Overview

• Fans do not lower air temperature but circulate air to speed sweat evaporation and deliver a cooling sensation.
• Optimal setups involve facing a fan out a window to expel hot air and positioning a second fan inward to create cross-breezes during cooler hours.
• Positioning ice-filled bottles, wet cloths or basins of cold water in front of fans amplifies the evaporative effect for more potent cooling.
• Health authorities warn that fans become ineffective—and potentially misleading—when indoor temperatures exceed 35 °C.
• Unverified hacks like draping wet towels over fans pose electrocution and equipment risks, prompting experts to recommend low-risk tactics such as closing shutters, hanging wet sheets and timing appliance use.