Ask HN: It's 39°C (102F) in Belgium, what hacks do you have to cool down?

#1

Post by Mojah » Sat, Jul 04, 2015, 12:05 PM UTC

We're experiencing one of the biggest heat waves in decades, with temperatures reaching 40°C (more than 100F).

Besides the usual fans and swimming pools, what are innovative tricks to cool down?

Re: Ask HN: It's 39°C (102F) in Belgium, what hacks do you have to cool down?

#2

Post by i0nutzb » Sat, Jul 04, 2015, 12:12 PM UTC

Stop being cheap and power up those air conditioner units!

Other than that, just take very hot showers and drink hot tea; avoid extremely cold drinks (i.e. beer, soda) and beverages that doesn't really help with water retention (i.e. coffee, alcohol).

Re: Ask HN: It's 39°C (102F) in Belgium, what hacks do you have to cool down?

#3

Post by EliRivers » Sat, Jul 04, 2015, 12:22 PM UTC

i0nutzb wrote: post #2

Stop being cheap and power up those air conditioner units! Other than that, just take very hot showers and drink hot tea; avoid extremely cold drinks (i.e. beer, soda) and beverages that doesn't really help with water retention (i.e. coffee, alcohol).

I wouldn't be surprised if the OP didn't have A/C. It's very common in Northern Europe not to have it.

Re: Ask HN: It's 39°C (102F) in Belgium, what hacks do you have to cool down?

#4

Post by marcuniq » Sat, Jul 04, 2015, 12:34 PM UTC

Go to a public library which has an A/C, get some work done or just read a book :)

Re: Ask HN: It's 39°C (102F) in Belgium, what hacks do you have to cool down?

#5

Post by neiltholland » Sat, Jul 04, 2015, 12:37 PM UTC

To help you sleep lay a damp towel over top of you. The evaporating moisture cools you nicely.

Re: Ask HN: It's 39°C (102F) in Belgium, what hacks do you have to cool down?

#6

Post by chrisBob » Sat, Jul 04, 2015, 12:55 PM UTC

Turn down the AC at work, and home will be much more comfortable. People acclimatize to hot weather pretty quickly, but we spend a lot of time fighting it in favor of temporary comfort. A few years ago I found myself freezing trying to sleep in an air-conditioned tent in Kuwait. I had to pull out my sleeping bag to stop shivering. When I checked the thermometer it showed that it was still 35C (95F), but that was much cooler than it had been during the day: 55C (130F).

If you went into a portajohn you saw the same effect much quicker: 55C felt like a wonderful relief when you stepped out.

Re: Ask HN: It's 39°C (102F) in Belgium, what hacks do you have to cool down?

#7

Post by i0nutzb » Sat, Jul 04, 2015, 12:57 PM UTC

EliRivers wrote: post #3

i0nutzb wrote: post #2

Stop being cheap and power up those air conditioner units! Other than that, just take very hot showers and drink hot tea; avoid extremely cold drinks (i.e. beer, soda) and beverages that doesn't really help with water retention (i.e. coffee, alcohol).

I wouldn't be surprised if the OP didn't have A/C. It's very common in Northern Europe not to have it.

(not) Obviously enough, the AC part was a joke :)

Re: Ask HN: It's 39°C (102F) in Belgium, what hacks do you have to cool down?

#8

Post by vorador » Sat, Jul 04, 2015, 1:25 PM UTC

Cold showers work really well to bring your body temperature down.

Re: Ask HN: It's 39°C (102F) in Belgium, what hacks do you have to cool down?

#9

Post by DevPad » Sat, Jul 04, 2015, 1:26 PM UTC

Use this trick: Ice + Fan.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/cd2e1b3c549cdec0918a2000892c6c07...

Re: Ask HN: It's 39°C (102F) in Belgium, what hacks do you have to cool down?

#10

Post by a3n » Sat, Jul 04, 2015, 2:07 PM UTC

Wear a light straw or nylon hat, soak it with water and shake it out. The evaporation will cool you down a bit.

I've never tried the following, but I know the above works so this should work too: Carry a spray bottle of water, and spray your clothes and hat/head periodically. Evaporation.

And the obvious, stay in the shade and cool places as much as possible.