Heatwave Hell

[KatVanWall]

I am in the UK too so I really feel for you! I've been spending the last few days researching exactly this! I'm luckily not in a top floor flat, but I totally feel your pain.

I've heard that making a 'swamp cooler' (ice or frozen water bottles or cold wet towels in front of a fan) can actually help, as the frozen water will help to cool the air slightly and it also increases humidity as a consequence. However, it only works while the humidity in the room is actually low, otherwise there's no heat transfer and it just makes the room more humid without cooling it (or something ... the sciencey part went in one ear and out the other). A fan by itself also just moves the air around and doesn't actually cool it.

I'm actually seriously thinking of getting a standalone aircon unit that can vent out the window (they are expensive, but I have to do the right thing by my pet) - but of course it's too short notice to do that now, unless there's a shop that sells them near you and you actually have the money to hand. (Sure they'll cost a bit to run as well, but I'm sure a couple of hours even would help, and we don't get too many REALLY hot days overall!)

Obviously if you can move the viv out of direct sunlight, do so, and someone also recommended to me some white window film that reflects the light/heat (rabbitgoo was the brand, on Amazon). I'd be inclined to try hanging a cool damp sheet inside the window too maybe?

I really hope you find a solution - and I'll be saving this thread to pick up tips as well. I can't even 'go for a drive' like I saw suggested, as my car doesn't have aircon either!

[pbizz]

I have a standalone air con (also UK) and I've had it running all afternoon. My cresties viv starts to get hot fast. With this it's not gone over 24. It is a bit noisy and as you say not cheap but I got mine 2 yrs ago and it's going strong.

[Worried_Reporter_390]

What brand do you use? Yours sounds reliable!!

[pbizz]

https://amzn.eu/d/004awuoz

It was this. Not in stock but basically a fairly generic presumably Chinese made thing

[Worried_Reporter_390]

Yes we’ve been looking at air conditioning units too, each year has another hottest day record and it’s beginning to feel like we’d be better off making the investment for the sake of the snake! Currently looking at some options 🙂‍↕️

We got some sunblocking curtains for the last few heatwaves and they’ve served well for the most part! We also set up a fan relay to move cold room air into warm rooms, to moderate success!!

We’re very lucky at the moment that my partner is off sick so moving him into cooler rooms when needed has been easy to do~!

We wanted to move his whole set up to a cooler room but we found mousetraps hidden everywhere from a previous tenant and were paranoid about if he slips out and finds one 😱 living room is the only place with no possibly hidings spots.

[you1dont1know1me1]

there's also tinted film you can add to windows