Cooling Vests will keep you cool, but different vests are
suitable for different situations.
1. Evaporative Cooling Vests are best suited for use
outdoors, and on days when humidity is not to high.
These vests work on accelerating your body's natural
evaporative cooling. The vests are soaked in water.
As the water evaporates your body temperature is
reduced.
These vests are relatively effective. They are cheaper
than other vests. Prices start at about $30.
On the downside they are not suited to being worn
underneath other clothing. This will slow down the
evaporative effects. Your clothes will be wet after
wearing these vests. Evaporative vests available at
http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com
2. Phase change vests these vests use packs that you
freeze. The pack is filled with a gel made of Hexadecane.
The pack melts at 18 degrees. The high melting point is
very effective at keeping your body temperature at a
natural level. These vests are very effective indoors and
outdoors. They do not really on evaporation to keep you
cool so are fine to wear under clothes. You will stay dry.
The only problems with these vests is that they are
expensive $180 plus. In addition to this you will need two
or three sets of packs to get you through the day
costing around $100 plus per set. Phasechange vests
available at http://www.coolsport.net
3. Personal Ice Cooling System (PICS) are the most
effective by far. They are also the most expensive about
$1800. They work by pumping iced water around a vest
using a small pump. The pump is powered with rechargeable
batteries. The water is cooled by ice packs. One of the
advantages is that it uses regular ice in packs and as long
as you can find a freezer or ice your in business.
These vests will keep you cool in any conditions. They are
even used by the military. They are suited mainly for
working environments in the heat. They require a type of
back pack of tobe worn. This system weighs of approx 8lb.
They are very effective though at keeping you cool in the
heat. (PICS) available at
http://www.technicalproductsinc.us/cool_system.html
4. Cooling bandanas and neck ties use highly
absorptive polymers that are sewn inside neckties and
bandanas. When soaked in water they absorb water and
swell up. They are then worn and help a little to keep you
cool. They use evaporative cooling. They can also be
placed in the refrigerator before use for added cooling.
5. Lastly guys as simple as it may seem try to have plenty
of cold water handy. If you drink water before you start to
become dehydrated you feel much better.
Brian Fogarty has a website that discusses cooling products and shows you how to make your own.
So how do you keep cool on a budget?
Based on our research and the available evidence, our team has developed several resources including newsletters, videos and brochures on managing energy use while staying cool.
Here are our top ten tips:
1. Insulate your home: Insulation is often the most practical and effective way to make a home more energy-efficient. It’s a barrier to heat gain in summer (and loss in winter). Sealing gaps around windows, doors, walls and floors can make a big difference.
2. Shade helps keep your home cool: External shading of windows can block up to 90% of unwanted heat gain. Awnings, adjustable shutters and trees (ideally deciduous so they don’t block winter sun) and vegetation around windows can help block out the summer sun.
3. Close windows, curtains and blinds during the day: Blocking the sunlight stops heat from getting into your home. Thermally insulated double-glazed or secondary-glazed windows also help, as do honeycomb/solar blinds and blackout curtains with white backing.
4. Open doors and windows when the air is cooler outside: Opening up the house at the right times helps cool it down when the building is retaining heat during a warm spell. The coolest part of the day is usually between 4am and 7am, so if you are an early riser this is a good time to open up and let cool air in. Cool breezes often occur in the late afternoon or early evening, providing another good opportunity to cool your home.
5. Stay hydrated: Hydration is important for health and wellbeing, especially during summer. If you don’t drink enough water, you can start to feel unwell including symptoms of tiredness and headaches. Women need about eight cups or 2 litres, and men need about ten cups or 2.5 litres of fluid every day. Beverages with alcohol, caffeine or sugar are not as good for keeping you hydrated – water is best!
6. Wear suitable clothing: Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen absorb sweat and allow air to circulate against your skin. These are much better than synthetics, which can leave you feeling hot and uncomfortable.
7. Personal cooling practices can help: Using a spray bottle or a wet washcloth for your face and neck can help take the edge off the heat, as can a lukewarm bath or shower. Rest, if possible, during the hottest part of the day – usually 11am-4pm. Vigorous physical activity at these times on hot days can be damaging for your health.
8. Visit cool public places: When your home gets too hot, air-conditioned sanctuaries include shopping malls, libraries, galleries and eateries.
9. Switch on fans: Fans are a cheap and effective way to keep cool. The air flow provides a similar improvement to comfort as reducing the air temperature by around 3℃. Direct the air flow to your face because the face has so many receptors on it. If the outside temperature is lower than in your home, place your fan next to an open window to draw in cool air.
10. Think twice about switching on air conditioners: An air conditioner typically uses ten times more energy than a fan. Try using a fan in combination with an air conditioner. This means you can set the air conditioner to a higher temperature in summer (add at least 3℃) and still benefit. The combined cost will be far lower than running the air conditioner alone set at a lower temperature. For efficient air conditioning, your home or room should be well sealed and well insulated, and windows should be shaded from the sun.
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