When summer hits hard and heat waves take over Spain, finding effective and affordable solutions to combat high temperatures becomes an everyday necessity. Air conditioning is not always an option For everyone, whether due to the energy costs or the inconvenience of using it all night long. For this reason, more and more people are turning to homemade techniques to achieve a cooler environment without having to spend a lot of money.
Among these tricks, the following stands out especially: the use of frozen water bottles to cool rooms. This simple method, widespread in different areas of the country and especially in Andalusia, takes advantage of the basic principle of convection to achieve the cold air descends and cools the environment naturally. Its popularity has grown in recent years, both due to its low cost as for the ease of application in any home.
What is the frozen water bottle trick?
This system is based on a simple but effective premise: use previously frozen water-filled bottles to cool the air in a room. The process is so simple that anyone can do it at home, as long as they have a freezer with enough space and several empty plastic or glass bottles.
To avoid accidents, it is important do not fill the bottle completely before putting it in the freezer, leaving at least a quarter empty. Water expands when it freezes, so this small detail prevents the container from breaking during the solidification process.
Once the ice has formed, it is recommended to remove several bottles from the freezer and place them in the highest area of ​​the roomIt is useful to place a container underneath to collect the water that will thaw over the hours.
How does room cooling occur?
The operation is based on a simple physical rule: cold air tends to descend, as the warm air rises. By placing the frozen bottle high in the room, the cold radiating from the ice It cools the surrounding air, which naturally descends. As that cold air descends, the warm air rises and comes into contact with the bottle, repeating the cycle y reducing the ambient temperature.
This method is especially efficient in small rooms, where the effect is visible after a short time. If the room is large, it's recommended to freeze several bottles at once and spread them out to maintain constant cooling. This way, by replacing them, you can achieve a prolonged effect throughout the night or during warmer hours.
Improving the effect with a fan and more bottles
For those looking an extra touch of freshness, the solution is to combine the use of the frozen bottle with a fanBy placing one of these bottles just in front of the blades, the fan will push air that has been cooled passing over the icy surface, generating a sensation similar to that of a basic air conditioner, but without the associated energy cost.
The result is a rapid drop in wind chill, ideal for coping with hot nights or stifling days. This alternative also reduce your electricity bill and is ecological and sustainable, as it reuses packaging and eliminates the need for high-consumption electrical equipment.
Tips to get the most out of the trick
- Freezes several bottles at once to always have refills available and not run out of ice in the heat.
- Use fans to enhance the effect and distribute the cold air throughout the room.
- take care of safety: Choose sturdy bottles, preferably glass or thick plastic, and check that they have no cracks to avoid unwanted drips.
- Adjust the technique depending on the size of the room and the intensity of the heat. In large rooms, try placing several bottles and combining two fans.
This method has been used in Spain for decades, especially in areas where the thermometer easily exceeds 40 degrees in summer and it is essential to cool down with alternative methods.
