You can keep an attic room cool with three things together: keep the sun out with external shading, ventilate at night and early in the morning, and use a fan during the day for a cooling sensation. A fan does not lower the temperature, but does make a hot attic more bearable as long as the air is not extremely hot.
Why does an attic room get so hot?
An attic is located directly under the roof. The sun shines on it all day, and warm air rises from the rest of the house. The less insulation and the more window surface on the sunny side, the faster the temperature rises. You cannot prevent this completely, but you can significantly limit it. The order is important: first keep the heat out, then remove the heat, and only then add an extra cooling sensation.
Shading: start outside the window
According to Milieu Centraal, external shading works at least twice as well as internal shading, because curtains release the heat they absorb back into the room. Milieu Centraal also mentions inexpensive options such as shade cloth, suction-cup shading on the outside of the window, or an outdoor roller blind. In an attic, where skylights often get a lot of sun, this provides the most benefit.
Night ventilation: remove heat when it is cooler outside
Keep windows closed during the day and only open them in the evening, at night, or at sunrise, when it is cooler outside than inside. Milieu Centraal advises opening windows on the ground floor and the top floor at the same time. This creates a chimney effect: cool air flows in at the bottom and warm air escapes through the top. This works extra well in an attic, because the warmest air collects there. Think about a screen and about burglary prevention with open windows.
A fan in the attic: how to use it properly
A fan cools your body, not the room. Milieu Centraal describes that the cooling sensation is created because the airflow removes body heat and sweat more quickly, and points out that an air conditioner uses up to 20 times more electricity than a fan. Therefore, aim the fan at the place where you sit or sleep and turn it off when you leave the attic. If it is cooler outside at night, let the fan blow in the direction of an open window to help push the warm air outside. In our article about the best place for a fan, you can read more about placement.
In extreme heat, a fan has less effect. What you can expect then, you can read in does a fan also help when it is 35 degrees?. More general tips are in our overview how to keep your house cool without air conditioning.
Direct answer: keep an attic room cool by keeping the sun out during the day with external shading, ventilating at night with open windows on multiple floors, and aiming a fan at yourself during warm hours.
Dynter AV25G: a pedestal fan that fits in an attic
Attics often have sloped walls and little free floor space. A fan that you can adjust and store away is useful there.
Product name: Dynter AV25G pedestal fan (white or grey)
Height: adjustable from 80 to 125 cm
Oscillation: rotating airflow over a wide angle
Speeds: three settings via a control knob, airflow 5.3 m/s
Power: 55 W
Storage: foldable to 42 × 42 × 20 cm, weight 3.49 kg
| Measure | What does it do? | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| External shading | Keeps sun heat outside the window | One-time installation |
| Night ventilation | Removes accumulated heat | Open windows every evening |
| Fan | Enhances the cooling sensation on your skin | Turn on where you sit or sleep |
| Indoor curtains | Limits sunlight, but stays warm | Simple, less effective |
What suits your attic?
If you have an attic room that you use as a bedroom or study, start with shading and night ventilation, and then add a fan. Also read what works in extreme conditions in how to keep your house cool during a heatwave.
View the Dynter AV25G fan or discover the collection of fans and air coolers to compare.
Frequently asked questions
Why is an attic room warmer than the rest of the house?
An attic is located directly under the roof, where the sun shines. In addition, warm air rises from the rest of the house. Shading and good roof insulation limit this.
Do curtains help against heat in the attic?
A little, but external shading works at least twice as well according to Milieu Centraal. Indoor curtains heat up themselves and release that heat again.
When should I open windows?
Only when it is cooler outside than inside, such as in the evening, at night, and early in the morning. During the day, it is better to keep them closed.
Can I run a fan at night?
Yes. Preferably set a low setting, do not constantly aim the airflow at your face, and turn it off when the room has cooled down.
Is a fan enough during a heatwave?
Not always. Combine it with shading and night ventilation. In extreme heat, a fan alone is not enough to keep an attic pleasant.