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How to cool down a converted attic in summer?

  • 23-08-2025 11:14PM
    #1
    Monokne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,949 ✭✭✭


    Hi all

    Our attic is converted into a bedroom and my daughter has recently moved up there. In the summer it gets very warm up there, especially in the evening as the house is south facing. Opening the window doesn't do much. I've tried an oscillating tower fan but since the air is hot it's not as effective as I would like. Is there some type of expensive fan or air cooling solution I could put up there?

    Thanks



Comments

  • #2
    CrazyEric
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 216 ✭✭CrazyEric


    Depends on how much you want to spend. A very basic air conditioner would probably be in the region of €2000 ish. A simple air in/out fan and duct system wouldn't be too dear either. How handy are you??



  • #3
    Monokne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,949 ✭✭✭Monokne


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748764#Comment_123748764

    Not especially but getting better. Can you elaborate on an in/out fan?



  • #4
    CrazyEric
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 216 ✭✭CrazyEric


    Two fans installed opposite sides of the room, one drawing air in, one drawing out thus causing a cross breeze. very helpful if you can vent to outside so there are special tiles/slates to allow air flow in or out. They can be wired to always operate at the same time.



  • #5
    Bass Reeves
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 20,737 ✭✭✭✭Bass Reeves


    Is it insulated

    Slava Ukrainii



  • #6
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,495 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Normal experience with a poor executed attic conversion. You'd need good air tightness and insulation to stop heat rising up from the rest of the house and soaking in from the roof.

    I don't think aircon is the answer in Ireland - the outside air is cool enough.

    I second CrazyEric's not crazy suggestion of getting as much external air through the space as possible.



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  • #7
    Dial Hard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 15,115 ✭✭✭✭Dial Hard


    Would you not just get a Dyson Cool Tower or similar? They're a few hundred quid. Much cheaper than 2k.



  • #8
    10-10-20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 9,375 ✭✭✭10-10-20


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123749175#Comment_123749175

    It's and air blower which has a "cooling effect" but no method to cool the air, so be careful with that element of the marketing.

    One trick with getting air movement like suggested is to leave any doors on the stair up to the attic open during the day to encourage ventilation via the 'stack effect', and also open windows at the lowest level to encourage air to travel upwards.

    https://sustainabilityworkshop.venturewell.org/node/1029.html

    But the problem is often the residual heat in the ceiling, roof and walls which then permeates back into the space once the doors are closed at night. That's where good insulation detailing at the time of construction helps.



  • #9
    Dial Hard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 15,115 ✭✭✭✭Dial Hard


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123749296#Comment_123749296

    I did not know that, thanks. Pretty misleading name in that case!



  • #10
    SuperBowserWorld
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,147 ✭✭✭SuperBowserWorld


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748808#Comment_123748808

    Yep, maybe not insulated correctly.

    Post edited by SuperBowserWorld on


  • #11
    Monokne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,949 ✭✭✭Monokne


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123749175#Comment_123749175

    Are those things pretty powerful?



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  • #12
    Monokne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,949 ✭✭✭Monokne


    How would I know whether it is insulated correctly or not? What would I be looking for?



  • #13
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,495 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123750472#Comment_123750472

    It being cold in winter, although that can be masked by heat rising from the rest of the house.



  • #14
    Soc_Alt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 321 ✭✭Soc_Alt


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123750459#Comment_123750459

    No. Don't waste your money.



  • #15
    Bass Reeves
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 20,737 ✭✭✭✭Bass Reeves


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123750472#Comment_123750472

    You said it was an attic room. I presume it was converted before you purchased tge house if you do not know if it us insulated.

    Is there access to the attic at the side of the room. If there is enter these area and check-in sides are insulated. You may also be able to see above the ceilings from in there. If there is no side attics you will need to check behind the plaster board. A miniature inspection camera will do this or you coukd drill a few small holes in the ceiling and check. Tgey are easy enough to fill with painters caulk and fillers

    Slava Ukrainii



  • #16
    OnDeBanks
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41 ✭OnDeBanks


    You can try "swamp cooling". Putting a wet towel in front of the fan is the most basic method. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaporative_cooler



  • #17
    10-10-20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 9,375 ✭✭✭10-10-20


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123752894#Comment_123752894

    This works best in a very dry environment, such as a desert or in a hot and dry hotel room. I have used it myself and it does bring some light relief due to the enthalpy of vaporisation (energy required to evaporate water).

    If you drape a wet towel over the back of two chairs in the flow of a fan, and let's say that towel contains around 2l of water, then the energy adsorbed from the room will be around 1.2kW (over the duration that it dries).



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