Working from Home in the Heat: How to Keep Your Home Office Pleasantly Cool

When the study is under the roof or the sun shines into the window all afternoon, concentration becomes a challenge. At home there is no company air conditioning, so what counts is what you can do yourself without any conversion.

The basis: do not let the heat in at all

• During the day, close external blinds or roller shutters before the sun shines into the room.
• In the morning and evening, ventilate thoroughly with a cross draught; keep windows closed during the day.
• Only switch on devices that give off heat (monitor, laptop charger, printer) when necessary.

More ideas can be found in Cooling your home without air conditioning: 9 tips against heat and Heat in attics and conservatories.

When an evaporative air cooler is worthwhile in a home office

An evaporative air cooler cools with evaporating water and needs neither assembly nor an exhaust hose. According to the data sheet, the GoodCooling Y5 is designed for 40 to 60 m², weighs 26 kg and needs 0.2 kW. For a small study that is more than enough output, so it pays to choose a spot where the air stream does not blow directly on you. How the principle works is explained in How does an evaporative air cooler work?

What to look out for

1. Air exchange: Evaporative cooling needs fresh air. A tilted window or an open door to adjoining rooms prevents the air from becoming too humid, see Evaporative air coolers and humidity.
2. Position: Place it with some distance and guide the air stream across the room rather than directly at the desk.
3. Water: According to the data sheet, the 45-litre tank of the Y5 lasts for about 5.5 hours of operation. Tips on refilling: Water in the air cooler.
4. Noise: An evaporative air cooler is audible. Consider whether this disturbs phone calls or video calls, see How loud is an evaporative air cooler?

What an evaporative air cooler cannot do

In very muggy air the effect is smaller. An evaporative air cooler does not replace air conditioning in every situation. How the two differ is shown in Evaporative air cooler vs. portable air conditioner.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the air cooler in the attic?

Yes, with good air exchange. Notes on this in the article on the attic.

How much electricity does the Y5 use?

The Y5 has a power rating of 0.2 kW, which equals 0.2 kilowatt-hours per hour of operation. A comparison is offered by the electricity cost comparison.

Conclusion

First keep the heat out, then cool in a targeted way: with shading, proper ventilation and an evaporative air cooler, the home office becomes much more pleasant in summer. We are happy to answer which model suits your room via our contact form. All models: Home & Small Businesses.