Using an electric fan alone may not be enough to cool off older adults during a heat wave, new research suggests. A study of 18 adults aged 65-72 found that fans had little effect on peak core temperatures in extreme heat conditions.
The study monitored participants in a controlled-climate chamber with simulated heat wave conditions. Participants spent eight hours each sitting at different fan speeds: no airflow, slow airflow (2 meters per second), and fast airflow (4 meters per second). The results showed that slower fan speeds offered no significant cooling benefits, while faster fan speeds improved perceptions of thermal comfort but did not biologically benefit participants.
This finding is consistent with previous studies based on biophysical models, which suggested that fans may not provide much cooling at high temperatures. The research highlights the importance of considering individual factors and technology limitations when developing strategies for heat mitigation in older adults.
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fans-not-cool-older-adults-heat-waves