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Reducing room temperature during hot summers

69 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/reducing-room-temperature-during-hot-summers.154318/

webgenius
webgenius Original post #1
Mar 19, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Hi folks,

My room is at the top floor of the house and hence my room gets heated up very quickly during summers.

Is there any way to reduce the room temperature without using an AC? I cannot afford an AC now since it costs around 30k for a branded one.

I heard that there are some paint-like liquids available that can be painted on the terrace above the house which reflects sunlight. Anyone has any idea about this?
sujoyp
sujoyp #2
Mar 19, 2012 at 12:02 PM
yes there are paints which reduces the temperature upto 5 degree ....I have asked the price sometimes ago and it was costing Rs30,000 for a 800sqr foot area....but it will work for some 5 years and u have to paint it again
techbulb
Mar 19, 2012 at 12:33 PM
For cooling room ac is the only and best option there is ,for cooling in general buy a water cooler these days they are not so expensive direct cool air to your face
Kl@w-24
Kl@w-24 #4
Mar 19, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Get a 0.5 ton AC or something if budget is a restriction. Or a desert cooler, much cheaper.
webgenius
Mar 19, 2012 at 11:02 PM
@sujoyp: 30k for 800 sqft area? Don't you feel it is a bit high? Is it a wall paint or the one to paint on the terrace?
amjath
amjath #6
Mar 23, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Dont go for 0.5 ton AC its a waste of money.
P
PraKs #7
Mar 23, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Find something called "Chuna" in Hindi.

Would cost around 200 Rs max for whole room. Only problem it will wash out in 1st rain.
S
Sakar #8
Mar 23, 2012 at 2:47 PM
You can buy a cellulose cooler for about 10000-15000. It can cool a large area very well
P
PraKs #9
Mar 26, 2012 at 3:55 PM
@Sakar
Can you any URL for cellulose cooler ?
RCuber
RCuber #10
Apr 2, 2013 at 1:14 PM
Mega Bump, summer is here.. let talk about cooling our rooms. I had a weird idea of buying hay and putting it in the terrace and sprinkling it in water :p not sure if it will work or if I will face complaints from neighbors about stinking smell :p I wonder where to get hay :lol:
Faun
Faun #11
Apr 2, 2013 at 1:18 PM
hay, try to build another floor if yours it the topmost. That will keep your floor cool.
RCuber
RCuber #12
Apr 2, 2013 at 1:23 PM
^^ yea.. right.. planing to r0b a bank for funds.
sujoyp
sujoyp #13
Apr 2, 2013 at 1:53 PM
the idea of hay is good and quit ancient...but prblem is you have to go to terrece in mid afternoon to put water on them...thats practically difficult...and dont worry no smell will come coz in summer it will dry very fast
RCuber
RCuber #14
Apr 2, 2013 at 1:55 PM
^^ may be I can make a automated sprinkler using Arduino :p

EDIT: I should check OLX for people selling hay :lol:
A
amohit #15
Apr 2, 2013 at 3:50 PM
^ you can also use jute bags instead of Hay.
Hrishi
Hrishi #16
Apr 2, 2013 at 4:00 PM
^^ yea.. right.. planing to r0b a bank for funds.

Then you can migrate to iceLand during summers , and Ghana during winters. :p

I am thinking about NO2 based coolers . :p
A
Apr 2, 2013 at 4:06 PM
^^ may be I can make a automated sprinkler using Arduino :p

EDIT: I should check OLX for people selling hay :lol:

Buy a scythe, and go to a paddy field :lol:
A
Apr 2, 2013 at 4:25 PM
those farmers working in those fields might think I am the real devil if I go with the Scythe :|

ha ha..

Another idea.. just spend someday at chennai. Enjoy the pleasant weather in sea beach at noon. Then return back to bglr, Definitely you will feel your room cool, hence room temp reduced. :p
RCuber
RCuber #22
Apr 2, 2013 at 4:32 PM
ha ha..

Another idea.. just spend someday at chennai. Enjoy the pleasant weather in sea beach at noon. Then return back to bglr, Definitely you will feel your room cool, hence room temp reduced. :p

I make sure that I don't visit Chennai during summer. only once or twice in two years I visit Chennai :p
A
Apr 2, 2013 at 4:46 PM
I will make sure I never visit chennai. :cry: Just wanting for my transfer from this place. :pullhair:
theserpent
Apr 2, 2013 at 4:51 PM
@RCuber go to hyderabad! You will understand what HOT is
RCuber
RCuber #25
Apr 2, 2013 at 4:58 PM
Looking at the whether, looks like its gonna rain again today :D .. its raining in the evening from past two days :p :nanananana:
furious_gamer
Apr 2, 2013 at 8:24 PM
^ you can also use jute bags instead of Hay.

Jute bags is best. I tried it and it's excellent, can keep water for a long time.

Looking at the whether, looks like its gonna rain again today :D .. its raining in the evening from past two days :p :nanananana:

Yes, feeling good today and yesterday. Day before yesterday was hell. 35 degrees :shock:
amjath
amjath #27
Apr 2, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Chennai :Lol:
furious_gamer
Apr 2, 2013 at 9:19 PM
Chennai :Lol:

:rofl: Best post in this thread..

Guy1 : You try blah,blah and it will cool your room
Guy2 : I am from Chennai
Guy1 : Oh Sorry. (Went out to buy pistol and shoot himself)
amjath
amjath #29
Apr 2, 2013 at 9:31 PM
:rofl: Best post in this thread..

Guy1 : You try blah,blah and it will cool your room
Guy2 : I am from Chennai
Guy1 : Oh Sorry. (Went out to buy pistol and shoot himself)

:ROFL:
But its nice and cool at night here
furious_gamer
Apr 2, 2013 at 10:48 PM
^^ In bangalore, it's cool till 6am and after 3pm.... :lol:
amjath
amjath #31
Apr 3, 2013 at 11:05 AM
^wow after 3 itself. AFAIK Bangalore is like hill station
T
The Conqueror #32
Apr 3, 2013 at 11:09 AM
I recently saw a portable-AC which looks quite a lot like a cooler. It costs about 12K. You could try that.
rajatGod512
Apr 3, 2013 at 11:18 AM
I found hay online , but minimum order is like 10 tons , LOL

Hay-Hay Manufacturers, Suppliers and Exporters on Alibaba.comHay

EDIT:I found a One Ton min. order -
Alfalfa Hay - Buy Alfalfa Hay For Sale,Alfalfa Hay In Bales,Alfalfa Cubes Hay Product on Alibaba.com
RCuber
RCuber #34
Apr 3, 2013 at 11:26 AM
I recently saw a portable-AC which looks quite a lot like a cooler. It costs about 12K. You could try that.
We should look at low cost options :D

I found hay online , but minimum order is like 10 tons , LOL

Hay-Hay Manufacturers, Suppliers and Exporters on Alibaba.comHay

EDIT:I found a One Ton min. order -
Alfalfa Hay - Buy Alfalfa Hay For Sale,Alfalfa Hay In Bales,Alfalfa Cubes Hay Product on Alibaba.com

LOL one ton :lol: I should also buy couple of buffaloes, and may be even start milk business :lol:

Jute Bags looks like the most easy option, will check over weekend :D
furious_gamer
Apr 3, 2013 at 12:58 PM
^wow after 3 itself. AFAIK Bangalore is like hill station

:rofl:

Lot of trees = Obviously cool! :D

But now scenario started changing, bangalore turning into next Chennai. Very soon they will achieve that.

In our home (in TN), we tried with jute bags and used to pour water once in 3/4 days depends on temps. And yes, it kept the room cool. Unlike hay, it will last long and no bad odour.
Ronnie11
Ronnie11 #36
Apr 3, 2013 at 3:04 PM
those portable AC's do not make sense at all...though it releases cool air upfront...the back of those coolers release hot air thus heating up other parts of the room...

Mumbai is surprisingly cooler this year for now...with temps ranging around 31-32C for a while barring just one or two days in between when it touched 40C
G
Apr 3, 2013 at 3:08 PM
You can get the roof fix with false roofing to get 3-5 degree drop.
harshilsharma63
Apr 3, 2013 at 4:09 PM
> Grow lots trees around the house.

> Keep windows open till ~11:00 am, then start using curtains.

> Completely close all windows facing the sun after 12:00 noon.

> Avoid cooking in afternoon.

> Keep some space for hot air to escape, i.e., keep proper ventilation.

> open all doors (not facing the sun) after every 2 hours and turn on all fans to make all accumulated hot air escape.

> Do not use carpet or other thick cloth stuff in summers.

Psst: wear wet socks while sitting, they make you chill as hell.
A
Apr 3, 2013 at 4:39 PM
hang a thick wet bedsheet/towel in front of windows instead of curtains.
RCuber
RCuber #40
Apr 3, 2013 at 4:48 PM
I was wondering why I am not feeling the same heat now .. Realized when i went out that I am sitting in the office with the AC running 24/7 :|
Allu Azad
Allu Azad #41
Apr 3, 2013 at 5:37 PM
lolling at all 35 degree people :p


40 DEGREE , 93% HUMIDITY FTW
Hrishi
Hrishi #42
Apr 3, 2013 at 6:15 PM
Most Important : Stop Overclocking your hardware . :p
RCuber
RCuber #43
Apr 3, 2013 at 6:27 PM
^^ i5 2400 :|
harshilsharma63
Apr 3, 2013 at 7:52 PM
Liquid cool yourself, not by h100i, but by mint tea :p
amjath
amjath #45
Apr 4, 2013 at 2:16 PM
:rofl:

Lot of trees = Obviously cool! :D

But now scenario started changing, bangalore turning into next Chennai. Very soon they will achieve that.

In our home (in TN), we tried with jute bags and used to pour water once in 3/4 days depends on temps. And yes, it kept the room cool. Unlike hay, it will last long and no bad odour.

Whats with this jute bag, how does it looks like. Inputs please
furious_gamer
Apr 4, 2013 at 2:32 PM
Whats with this jute bag, how does it looks like. Inputs please

Looks like jute bags...

It's nothing but the fiber kinda thing from coconut outer shell.
Allu Azad
Allu Azad #47
Apr 4, 2013 at 2:36 PM
Those bags in which rice is packed :p
RCuber
RCuber #48
Apr 4, 2013 at 2:37 PM
^^Yes.

BTW.. due to the rain, the temperature has dipped in Bangalore :p
furious_gamer
Apr 4, 2013 at 3:10 PM
^^ Morning it was hot like pan with oil, now it is cool. I can feel the gentle breeze now.
webgenius
webgenius #51
Apr 5, 2013 at 11:20 AM
I found a good temporary solution. Had a portable table fan with big stand lying unused. I keep it in my room now and keep it ON whenever I'm in the room. This is a quick temporary solution for the time being until some real concrete solution shows up.

PS: I had set the fan setting to blow air directly on my face. At one point at night while sleeping, it almost suffocated me :)
eggman
eggman #52
Apr 5, 2013 at 1:00 PM
I found a good temporary solution. Had a portable table fan with big stand lying unused. I keep it in my room now and keep it ON whenever I'm in the room. This is a quick temporary solution for the time being until some real concrete solution shows up.

PS: I had set the fan setting to blow air directly on my face. At one point at night while sleeping, it almost suffocated me :)

I do the same. And wake up with Sore throat :(
furious_gamer
Apr 5, 2013 at 1:01 PM
I open up Windows, turn down the speed of my ceiling fan and it is good. Opening Windows at night is good idea IMO.
A
Apr 5, 2013 at 1:02 PM
Keep the fan in front of your legs and your head leg and the fan should be in straight line. This is more relaxing.
kARTechnology
Apr 10, 2013 at 12:15 AM
> Grow lots trees around the house.

> Keep windows open till ~11:00 am, then start using curtains.

> Completely close all windows facing the sun after 12:00 noon.

> Avoid cooking in afternoon.

> Keep some space for hot air to escape, i.e., keep proper ventilation.

> open all doors (not facing the sun) after every 2 hours and turn on all fans to make all accumulated hot air escape.

> Do not use carpet or other thick cloth stuff in summers.

Psst: wear wet socks while sitting, they make you chill as hell.

what if slip and fall down???

thermocol ceiling
if using together with ac, keeps room cooler for longer during power cut...
amjath
amjath #56
Apr 10, 2013 at 12:30 AM
I open up Windows, turn down the speed of my ceiling fan and it is good. Opening Windows at night is good idea IMO.

Exactly chennai is so good in summer nights
amjath
amjath #58
Apr 10, 2013 at 12:50 AM
Seriously bro if u r not in ground floor, we used to spend our night for an hour in top floor or balcony
Hrishi
Hrishi #59
Apr 10, 2013 at 12:54 AM
Fortunately there are total of 3 Water Tanks kept on top of my Room.I think it prevents the room temperature from getting too high at daytime.
amjath
amjath #60
Apr 10, 2013 at 12:55 AM
Fortunately there are total of 3 Water Tanks kept on top of my Room.I think it prevents the room temperature from getting too high at daytime.

Wow great yes it is
RCuber
RCuber #61
Apr 10, 2013 at 1:08 AM
Fortunately there are total of 3 Water Tanks kept on top of my Room.I think it prevents the room temperature from getting too high at daytime.

On top of my room there is solar water heater, it provides shade over my room (technically) but I doubt that water heater doesn't like me. :|
Hrishi
Hrishi #62
Apr 10, 2013 at 1:10 AM
On top of my room there is solar water heater, it provides shade over my room (technically) but I doubt that water heater doesn't like me. :|
lol...the Hot water wil actually increase the temperautre , won't it ?? :p
amjath
amjath #63
Apr 10, 2013 at 1:15 AM
On top of my room there is solar water heater, it provides shade over my room (technically) but I doubt that water heater doesn't like me. :|

:ROFL:
amjath
amjath #64
Apr 10, 2013 at 1:17 AM
Power cut in my locality now :banghead:
s18000rpm
s18000rpm #66
Apr 10, 2013 at 11:29 AM
Terrace Cooling

*i.imgur.com/KiV6OgH.png

Direction in dia: Left side = WEST & Right = EAST.

Objective: Avoid direct contact of sunlight on roof surface.

Solution: Use 'woven coconut leaf' & stack them on wooden frames. Wooden frames should have slope as shown in dia.
This slope helps in ventilation of hot air between leaf stack & roof surface.

NO need for watering. But for extra cooling at night, water them at around 5pm-6pm.

Wooden Frame: Max height = 3 feet ; Minimum height = 2 feet (approximate)
Use from wooden crates, really economical, DIY recommended.

Woven Coconut leaf cost - really cheap, around Rs.5-10 for 1 woven leaf.
*i.imgur.com/DkQbm0H.jpg

Alternative to Leaf:
1. Jute bag ('bora' in hindi)
2. Construction Safety Net (green colour)

Disadvantage: Takes roof space :p
Extra Advantage: Bio degradable, shelter to birds, squirrels... keep a small bowl of water for them. :))
RCuber
RCuber #67
Apr 10, 2013 at 12:52 PM
^^ thanks..
amjath
amjath #68
Apr 10, 2013 at 2:50 PM
So no sleep and posting from mobile? What if battery runs out? Keep brightness low to get more battery :)

Yes my phone dead after posting this :p my phone always runs in lowest brightness