How to cool your home with ice cubes during a heatwave

Sometimes, you simply have to make do with what you have.

While this intense heatwave lasts, here are a few easy ways to cool your home without any air conditioning… Have you considered ice cubes?

How to use ice cubes

Ice cubes can cool the surrounding air through a physical process known as thermal absorption: as they melt, they take in heat in order to change from a solid to a liquid. The impact is limited, but it can make a room feel more comfortable, particularly when several techniques are used together.

The most widely used approach, reported by Santé Magazine, is to put a bowl of ice cubes, ideally with a little coarse salt to slow melting, in front of a fan. The fan then pushes cooled air around the room, much like a makeshift air-conditioning unit. A metal container can strengthen the effect further.

Another option is to freeze water bottles filled to three-quarters, then place them on a plate or in a washing-up bowl. You can leave them in the room or hang them in front of an open window, wrapped in a damp tea towel, to cool incoming air.

Cooling incoming air with ice cubes

You could also soak a sheet or large towel in ice-cold water and hang it in front of a slightly open window. Air passing through the wet fabric will feel cooler, especially if you place a bowl of ice cubes at its base. For more targeted cooling, simply set a bowl of ice cubes on a plate beside the bed or desk. It will not lower the temperature of the entire room, but it can make your work or resting area more pleasant.

Preparing for more frequent heatwaves

At night, placing an ice-cube tray on the inside ledge of an open window enables the outside air, which is often cooler, to be chilled as it enters the room. Bear in mind that ice cubes have a limited effect and cannot replace basic measures, such as keeping shutters closed during the day.

These tips are worth remembering. Although this heatwave is coming to an end, meteorologists are forecasting a particularly hot summer. Climate change could worsen the situation from year to year. In these circumstances, do not hesitate to check official advice on protecting your health during periods of extreme heat.