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July 5, 2018updated 09 Jul 2018 9:18am

Overcoming the heatwave: six of the best technologies to keep cool

By Phoebe Baxter

Summer has arrived and the high temperatures are set to continue. However, shorts and ice-creams can only go so far in helping combat the heatwave.

As usual, we now look to technology to solve our problems, and there is no shortage of gadgets out there to provide you with relief from the heat.

Here are some of the best new and innovative ways technology has been developed to help us cope with the heatwave.

Ohnana Rayve

What is it:  A tent that keeps cool

How much does it cost? Pre-order at £140

Why you need it in a heatwave:

Ohnana Rayve provides a solution to combatting heat whilst camping. Whereas most tents amplify heat, becoming unbearable by mid-morning, Ohnana Rayve uses technological design to keep the tent cool.

The product is recorded to keep a temperature of 27°C, with a regular tent heating up to approximately 41°C, with an ambient temperature of 25°C.

Ohnana Rayve does not feature active cooling but reflects and dissipates heat through reflective outer material and airgaps. This allows it to remain close to outside temperature. It also features light blocking and can be set up in five minutes.

The product is targeted at festival goers, but would suit anyone camping this summer, sleeping up to three people.

ZEF Climatic Table

What is it: A table that cools the surrounding room.

How much does it cost? Various – Rectangular dining table £663.

Why you need it in a heatwave:

The ZEF (zero-energy furniture) climatic table is far from an ordinary table. Despite its exterior looking like a regular dining table with a frame and top cut in solid oak, under the table top sits a layer of corrugated, anodized aluminium with phase-changing material stored inside the folds.

This special phase-changing material absorbs and releases heat to keep room temperature around 22°C. The table can cool a room and retain the heat, only to release it at a later time when the temperature drops. If the temperature doesn’t fluctuate then just acts as a regular table.

The technology behind this material is not new, but the application to everyday objects is. When used with existing air-conditioning it can supposedly reduce energy use by up to 30%.

The ZEF tables come in a range of sizes, including console table, low table and bench, so there is a ZEF table for every purpose.

The Kapsul W5

What is it:  A smart window air-conditioner.

How much does it cost? Pre-order at $499.

Why you need it in a heatwave:

The Kapsul W5 offers a neat, easy and technologically advanced way to monitor room temperature.

At only 7in tall and with a minimal, smart design it offers a smaller, quieter version of alternative window air conditioners. The W5 also claims to be the world’s easiest air conditioner to install, with a window frame adaptor created to provide a perfect airtight seal.

Connectivity is a key feature of the device. It is connected to an app that allows remote control from anywhere. It is also compatible with both Google Home and Amazon’s Alexa for voice control.

The device has had strong support from the public with 8,000 pre-orders to date via Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

Ambi Climate

What is it:  An AI air-conditioner controller.

How much does it cost? $129 MSRP

Why you need it in a heatwave:

Ambi Climate is a new generation air conditioner controller, integrating AI technology. Ambi Climate learns from your feedback to auto-adjust your air conditioner and maximise how you feel.

To achieve this it integrates live data based on weather, sunlight, time of day, indoor temperature and indoor humidity to ensure the correct temperature is maintained. The connected app is equally impressive providing extensive in-app insights and analytics as well as allowing on-the-go control.

Using this new tool could allow energy savings of up to 30% off electricity bills. The only slight drawback is that it requires a compatible air conditioner system. However, it is compatible with over 50 brands.

Kryo Cooling System

What is it: A temperature-controlled mattress topper.

How much does it cost? $299.

Why you need it in a heatwave:

The Kyro Cooling System consists of a mattress pad and control system that can cool the pad to 60°F in 1° increments.

The system uses water-based thermos regulation and operates using a Wi-Fi enabled smartphone app for users to control their preferred temperature.

However, the benefits extend beyond simply being too hot to sleep. The system can also help people fall asleep faster, increase quality of REM sleep and lower the risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes.

Dyson Pure Hot and Cold Link

What is it:  A combined fan, heater and air purifier.

How much does it cost? £499.99.

Why you need it in a heatwave:

Dyson’s latest product, the Pure Hot and Cold Link, combines heating, cooling and air purification features all rolled into one stylish tall, narrow cylinder.

So, not only does this product keep you cool, but it automatically removes 99.95% of allergens and pollutants from the air. It also retains the bladeless feature, increasing efficiency and safety as well as reducing noise.

The product is easy to operate and allows advanced programming of a seven-day schedule.

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