The Spanish tip that everyone copies to survive heat without air conditioning

While the thermometer is panicked again in France on August 13, 2025, the fight against heat is relaunched. Our accommodation becomes again of Fournises and the temptation to run the air conditioning at full speed is stronger than ever. Fortunately, a proven, economical and incredibly effective solution comes from Spain to survive this new heat wave. Here’s how to refresh a room with the simple tip of the frozen water bottle.

Far from being a simple grandmother tip, this method is based on a fundamental physical principle. The idea is to use one or Several plastic water bottles Like ice blocks to cool the ambient air. It is a particularly popular technique in regions such as South of Spainwhere temperatures cheerfully exceed 40 degrees in the shade.

The implementation is of childish simplicity: fill a plastic bottle with three -quarter water (never to the brim, because the water expands by freezing and could burst the bottle) And place it in the freezer.

Once the water has been solidified, position the bottle in height in the roomon a shelf for example, taking care to place a container below to collect condensation water.

The ambient air, when it comes into contact with the ice bottle, will cool. Becoming denser, this fresh air will “fall” to the ground, pushing the hot air to climb. The latter will in turn be cooled by the bottle, creating a virtuous cycle which gradually lowers the temperature of the room.

Bonus tip: Transform your fan into auxiliary air conditioner

To switch up a gear, combine this technique with a simple fan. The method, sometimes nicknamed the “fan-glaçon”, radically transforms the feeling of freshness.

Place your frozen water bottle (or a bowl filled with ice cubes) just in front of the fan blades. By blowing on the ice surface, the device will no longer be content to brew hot air; he will actively diffuse a cooled air flow throughout the room.

This principle of thermal transfer offers a almost immediate feeling of freshness. The blown air passes on the ice, gives in its heat, cools, then is propelled to you, creating an effect very close to a rudimentary air conditioner.

However, we must remain realistic: the effect is especially sensitive in a restricted space And lasts the time that the ice starts to melt. It is therefore a perfect solution for a room or an office, but it will not replace a real air conditioner in a large living room.

Finally, remember that the electricity consumption of a fan is much less compared to air conditioning, making this tip particularly economical.

A global strategy for housing that remains fresh

To effectively face the heat wave of the next few days, this tip is gaining in an overall strategy to combat heat.

The first essential reflex is to block heat before it enters. To do this, keep the shutters, blinds and curtains closed during the hottest hours of the day, especially on the facades exposed to the sun. The choice of light colors for these protections can also help to think about light and heat.

At night, when the outside temperature finally decreases, it’s time to act on the contrary: you have to draft By opening large windows to evacuate the heat accumulated in the walls and furniture.

Also remember to limit internal heat sources: avoid using your oven or cooking plates and completely turn off electronic devices (internet box, television, computers) which give up the heat even in standby.

Finally, another tip is to Hang wet sheets in front of a ajar window. By evaporating, water absorbs heat from the incoming air, a principle of evaporation cooling already used by the Romans.