Are you planning for your first camp? I am 101% sure you are highly excited about it. It is also possible that you are reading this article because you want to improve your previous camping experience.
Perhaps, you realized the importance of knowing how to keep a tent cool. Well, if that is the case, you came to the right place!
I myself encountered this issue during my first few camps, and it made me really uncomfortable. This is why I got the urge to share this salient knowledge with you!
This article will give answers to important questions about tent cooling:
- Why do you think cooling your tent is important?
- What is heat transfer?
- What are the different ways of making your tent cool based on heat transfer?
Contents
Importance Of Knowing How To Keep A Tent Cool
Comfort
All camp lovers will agree that nothing beats a quality time spent outdoors. However, your stay will not be as enjoyable as expected if your tent is functioning as a sauna room! No one wants to be dripping wet with sweat, isn’t it?
On top of that, we do not want to spend all our energies fanning ourselves to cool!
Always remember that one of the main reasons why you decided to go outdoors is to stay away from stress. A cool pavilion will ensure the promotion of your rest and relaxation no matter what kind of activities you are doing.
Health reasons
Increased temperature of the tent should be addressed not only because of comfort but because of health reasons as well. This is the ultimate reason why we wanted cooler portable shelters.
Extreme hotness can cause your body to lose water and other essential nutrients. It causes your blood vessels to widen, and consequently, your blood pressure can drop below normal levels.
These conditions can cause people to suffer from irritating prickly heat, dehydration, fainting, heat stress, heat stroke, and even death.
Heat Transfer
This is the scientific explanation of the torridity that campers experience! Yes, it is scientific; and if you take it into careful consideration, you can cool your tent in no time!
- Radiation–Temperature will transmit from source to another without direct contact. This is possible through heat waves.
- Conduction– Transfer of heat through direct contact; molecules share torridness with one another, thereby heating the entire thing. An example of this is when fire touches the bottom of the pan, but the handles eventually get very hot too.
- Convection– When heated molecules move from one place to another, such as when we boil water, validity is being relocated.
Ways On How To Cool A Tent
Cooling tents should not require massive amounts of effort to achieve. You should not also dole out huge amounts of money. Here are some ways that others fully vouch on!
Address radiation of heat from sun and land
The first thing that you have to do is to choose your location. When doing this, you have to select a shady spot. Another thing is that you have to make sure your spot is far from sources such as heat-emitting machines of nearby campers.
If this is all warranted, then you may start setting up your tent already.
Using ground cover is a must! It will serve as a barrier between the soil and your tent. When doing this, you should get a ground cover (or a multi-purpose tarp) and lay it on the ground. This will be the place wherein you will build your tent.
There are also emergency space blankets to the rescue! This can serve as a perfect insulator. When constructing your tent, place the emergency space blanket on top of your marquee. Do not forget to secure your blankets by tying them well.
Reduce convection through the following
Ventilate naturally. This is primarily the best way since this is hassle-free and cost-free! Make sure that you consider the direction of the wind when camping. After this, you can place your tent facing the wind source.
You may also opt to use a misting system. This will, however, take time to install and use. You can also create your own misting system if you like.
Check the manufacturer’s guide on how to install first before you set up the misting system. Some misting system needs manual labor as pumping them is necessary to continue its operation.
A battery-operated fan will definitely be your option if you do not plan on making your own misting system. Do not forget to charge your batteries before camping. With this, all you have to do is to switch on the fan and enjoy!
Use conduction for your benefit!
Go low with pits! Transfer your tent in a pit if allowed. Select the perfect place for your tent. This will absorb the land’s temperature. Make sure that the land is somehow moist so that it will not transmit warmth. Measure the size of your tent’s base.
Dig the ground at least 2 feet deep, and assemble your tent on the pit.
Important Tips From Experts
- Ventilation is the key!
- Regularly hydrate yourself.
- Wear airy clothes.
- Place wet towel on your head or nape
- Alternatively, you may use 2 layers of the tarp.
- Choose a fan that can accommodate both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries.
Please do not attempt or even consider making a pit in public events such as music or arts festivals!
Here’s one controversial issue about tents and temperature
Choosing your tent is salient. This recommendation, however, is still debatable. Many hikers use nylon tents; it is well-loved because of its durability and waterproof assurance. Some don’t appreciate it as they warm up fast.
Nonetheless, others buy and utilize it despite the fact that it increases its temperature easily because it also allows air to escape in an accelerated time.
Conclusion
Camping is fun! It will always be full of adventure and surprises. People may suggest ditching the tent, but hey, privacy can never be compromised when you have one!
The trick is to understand the process of heat transfer and take that into consideration when choosing strategies on how to keep a tent cool, and it will definitely make your trips more enjoyable!
Let me give you a quick run through with what you should remember before we finally end:
- Understand the process of heat transfer
- Address radiation of heat from sun and land by properly choosing your location, utilizing ground cover, and emergency space blankets.
- Reduce convection through natural ventilation, misting system, battery-operated fans
- Use conduction for your benefit! If allowed, dig a pit and build your tent there.
- Apply the pro tips listed in this article!
Are there other strategies I missed? Let us know by giving your suggestions in the comment box below!