Summer’s here once more. If there’s one thing we Filipinos are all too familiar with, it’s the relentless heat. By now you’re likely bouncing between using the air conditioner and the fan, taking great care to minimize AC use, unless you want a scary Meralco bill to greet you next month.
But did you know that there is a scientifically backed way to stay cool without jacking up your electricity bill? A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that hybrid cooling—or using a fan along with an air conditioner set at a slightly higher temperature—reduces energy consumption by over 30 percent without compromising comfort.
The study , conducted in Singapore by the Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore, involved testing two setups: one with air conditioning set to 24 degrees Celsius without fans, and another with the AC set at 26.5 degrees Celsius paired with ceiling and desk fans. The results, needless to say, were eye-opening. Not only did participants feel just as comfortable in both scenarios, but the hybrid cooling setup consumed significantly less energy.
This 2023 study was shared by one of the researchers Professor Stefano Schiavon during the first Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN) Southeast Asia Heat Health Forum which took place last January 7 to 10, 2025 in Singapore. During the GHHIN forum, experts gathered to discuss how our health, livelihood, and overall well-being are affected by rising temperatures all over the region and the rest of the world.
How the Hybrid Cooling Hack Works
The secret behind hybrid cooling is simple: air movement makes a huge difference. Fans help accelerate sweat evaporation—cue instant relief. According to the study, here’s what you have to do:
- Set your air conditioner to 26.5 degrees Celsius instead of 24 degrees Celsius (or higher).
- Turn on a ceiling, stand, or desk fan to circulate the indoor air.
It’s that simple and you’ll be just as comfortable as when you just used AC alone—but this time, you saved energy. Professor Schiavon said, "We achieved a remarkable 32 percent reduction in energy consumption without compromising thermal comfort."
It’s important to keep in mind, however, that fans don’t work in all situations. University of Sydney Professor Ollie Jay emphasized during the GHHIN forum that fans are effective, cooling equipment in hot and humid climates up to 38 degrees Celsius. But in hot, dry places where temperatures play around 45 degrees Celsius, fans can actually increase heat by triple the rate.
"In dry conditions, a person does not sweat, and blowing hot air on the skin would make him feel hotter, increasing strain on the heart as well," the GHHIN report said.
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Stay Cool, It’s a Must
If you're not sensing it yet, the extreme temperatures in the Philippines have climbed to hazardous heights. This March, many cities were compelled to cancel classes due to the soaring mercury. Even though PAGASA optimistically notes that this year’s dry season might be more favorable compared to last year, spokesperson and assistant weather services chief Ana Liza Solis cautions that elevated heat indexes remain possible.
"Possibly we might experience high heat indices reaching up to 48 degrees Celsius or even 50 degrees Celsius, with our forecasted maximum daytime temperatures expected to rise as we approach the end of April or the first week of May," she stated.
Although those of us in Southeast Asia are quite familiar with hot weather, we must stay alert regarding its impact on our well-being. Last year between January 1 and April 29 in the Philippines, more than 70 cases related to extreme heat were documented, leading to at least seven deaths. Besides causing unease, extended periods of warmth or high temps may result in severe conditions such as heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and various critical health problems.
Apart from the immediate health effects caused by high temperatures, these temperature levels also influence the functioning of your entire bodily systems. World Health Organization (WHO) As stated on their website, "When the body exerts effort to cool down, it puts stress not only on the overall system but specifically on the heart and kidneys. Consequently, extreme heat can exacerbate the health hazards associated with long-term ailments such as cardiovascular diseases, mental disorders, respiratory issues, and diabetes-related complications, and may lead to acute kidney damage."
Heat Safety Tips
The WHO provides several recommendations on its website to protect people from extreme heat. One is to stay out of the heat as much as possible. Avoid the outdoors and doing strenuous activities, especially when temperatures are at their highest. If you do have to be outside, stay in the shade and, if possible, spend at least two hours during the daytime in a cool place.
If you are not using an air conditioner at night, the WHO advises people to cool indoor temperatures in their homes by opening the windows. During the day, however, close them and cover them using shutters, blinds, or blackout curtains. Again, they emphasize that fans are only useful when temperatures are 40 degrees Celsius and below. If the temperatures are 41 degrees Celsius and above, fans will have the opposite effect on the body.
The WHO also recommends wearing lightweight, breathable clothing (this includes bedding and similar items). You can stay cool by taking refreshing baths or showers, or by dabbing your skin with a wet cloth or misting yourself with water to lower your body temperature rapidly.
Parked vehicles are particularly dangerous. Be sure to never leave behind children or animals inside the cars. Regarding infants, the WHO emphasizes that you should never cover a stroller with a dry fabric. While you may intend to shield them from the sun and hot air, doing so would actually make it even hotter inside the carriage. They advise using a wet, thin cloth instead, re-wetting as necessary. This is best used combination with a portable fan.
Would You Try the Hack?
As temperatures continue to rise and energy costs remain high, hybrid cooling is a simple yet cost-effective way to stay comfortable. However, various factors that could contribute to this method not working for your home such as higher-than-normal temperatures. Plus, there are others who advocate keeping your AC on 24 hours a day , saying that it is more economical to keep your home at a constant cool temperature rather than turning the AC unit on and off intermittently. Ultimately, different techniques and equipment may suit different needs. It's worthwhile to experiment with various cooling methods to determine what works best for your health, comfort, and budget.