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The hot weather is well and truly here, and while some of us are blessed with air conditioners or central thermostats, many of us will be battling the heat with electric fans this summer. Aside from keeping us a little cooler when the day’s heat refuses to ease up in the evening, there are multiple benefits of sleeping with a fan going, so you don’t have to feel guilty about having an electric appliance buzz away all night while you catch some z’s.
1. Fans can help remove odours
Warm weather tends to make enclosed rooms feel stuffier and smells hang around for longer. A fan can get the air moving through the room so odours don’t stagnate within the space; keep some windows open for the best results.
2. A fan can save you money
If your home doesn’t currently have any cooling appliances installed, getting them installed can cost an arm and a leg, and that cost isn’t always worth it if you live in an area that isn’t constantly hot, or has mild summers. Fans are generally a lot cheaper and will get the job done on a budget.
3. Fans create white noise
Fans create white noise which can block out sudden bursts of sound, such as traffic or barking dogs, and soothe you into sleep. If you have difficulty falling asleep, try popping the fan on to calm your mind for a while.
4. Fans can be good for babies
A 2009 study on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) found that overheating and high CO2 levels put babies at greater risk of SIDS, and hypothesises that improving the ventilation of a room with a fan could lower the risk. The report also cited a study of SIDS cases in California that found a baby was less likely to die of SIDS in a warm room if there was a fan in use.
5. Fans improve ventilation
Whether you have an air conditioner or not, a fan can improve the ventilation of a room by keeping the air flowing, which makes it easier to breathe, the air fresher and the environment feel less claustrophobic.
This article originally appeared on Better Homes and Gardens.
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