Heat in Madrid: A week without air conditioning to test alternatives

Herz — World Desk · 18 July 2026 at 06:06 · 30s summary · 2 min read

What we know

In Madrid, maximum temperatures hovered around 37°C in the two weeks before July 18, 2026, with minimums just below 20°C. According to El País, a journalist spent seven days without activating her air conditioning at her editor's request.

The goal was to test concrete alternatives to artificial cooling. Three solutions were evaluated: a desk fan, applying cool water to certain areas of the body, and a cooling blanket.

The desk fan: airflow without room cooling

The Honeywell TurboForce fan, described as the bestseller on Amazon, was placed next to the author during her work hours. It was alternated with a traditional manual fan.

The device produces a soft hum, nearly imperceptible after a few minutes, and allows users to adjust air flow intensity. It does not cool the room, but improves thermal comfort by circulating ambient air.

Cool water: quick relief through evaporation

Applying cool water to the wrists, neck, temples, or behind the knees provides almost immediate relief. Blood vessels are closer to the skin's surface in these areas, amplifying the cooling effect. The author also used a spray bottle on her arms, legs, and neck.

The effect is explained by evaporation: as water transitions from liquid to vapor, it draws the energy needed from the heat of the skin, creating an almost instantaneous cooling sensation.

The cooling blanket: disappointing results

The cooling blanket tested did not produce the expected cooling effect. After a few minutes, the sensation became rather warm, especially when used as a conventional blanket. The journalist considers it potentially counterproductive during intense heat.

What remains unclear

The article does not specify the exact brand of the cooling blanket tested, nor the test conditions: time of day, home insulation, or humidity levels. These factors can influence the effectiveness of the tested solutions.