Fan Facts

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Many people without air-conditioning use fans to feel cooler. However, in certain situations fans may make you hotter and create dangerous conditions. To use fans safely, remember to follow these do's and don'ts.

DO's:

• Use your fan in or next to a window to:
  • bring in the cooler air from outside
  • blow warm air outside
• Measure the air temperature inside your home to help you use your fan correctly.
• Use a fan to blow air on yourself when the indoor air temperature is less than 34 degrees Celsius.
  • You can cool the air by placing a bowl of ice in front of the fan.

DON'Ts:

• Don't believe that fans cool air. They do not.
  • Fans just move the air around. Fans keep you cool by bringing in cooler air from the outside, moving air over your skin (if the air is cool) or by helping to evaporate your sweat.
• Don't use a fan in a closed room unless you know the air temperature in that room is less than 34 degrees Celsius.
• Don't use a fan to blow hot or warm air on yourself (34 degrees Celsius or more). This can cause heat illness to happen faster.
  • This is especially a concern for older adults and people taking certain medications since their ability to sweat is decreased.
• Don't rely on fans as the only way to keep cool.

Important things to do to keep yourself and your home cool, in addition to using a fan:

• Take cool showers or mist yourself with cool water.
• Drink lots of cold fluids, especially water, even when you don't feel thirsty.
• Close your blinds and curtains to block out the sun during the day.
• Open your window to let cooler air from the outside in.
• Avoid using your oven to cook meals since this can make your home hotter.

Last updated April 2012