Chill out
Air conditioning systems can be quite difficult to operate efficiently because most people, especially children, like to have windows and doors open when it is sunny outside. Some air conditioning units can also affect asthmatics and those with allergies and sinus problems because as air is cooled and recycled it becomes drier and more likely to pick up irritants and circulate them through the room. If this is the case in your nursery you may be interested in a different type of system - Scott's evaporative air coolers work most efficiently when windows and doors are open and fresh air can be circulated around the room. There are three types of cooler available and they can all be moved from room to room to operate where they are needed most. The Millenia has a three-speed fan to give optimum airflow while reducing operational noise levels to a minimum. The Millenia is CFC-free and filters out dust and smells so does not affect sensitive skins, eyes or noses. The All Seasons air cooler can also function as a fan, humidifier and heater, providing 2000 watts of heat. The 600 PAC is a 'personal cooling unit' which fits on to a tabletop or windowsill and is effective over 10 m2. All the coolers are capable of reducing room temperatures by 25 per cent, so that air drawn into a room at 27oC will be blown around at 20oC. The coolers use less energy than a 100 watt light bulb and can be positioned anywhere where there is a power supply. Priced from 169.
Telephone 01606 837787
Divide and cool
Keeping one section of the nursery cool, perhaps for afternoon naps or reading sessions, is easier if it is divided off from the rest. You might want to consider installing a partition in larger areas, which can then be folded back when it is not needed. Once you have your partition in place you can use a tabletop fan or an air cooler, like those mentioned above, to ensure the allotted space stays cool. Building Additions stocks an extensive range of fabric folding partitions in no less than 167 different colours which include every hue from kiwi and magenta to sand and straw. The canvas for the partitions is light fast and flame retardant and is dyed in water based ink to produce long lasting, solid colour. Price upon application.
Telephone 01373 454577
Watch the heat
It can be difficult to decide whether a room is too hot, or not, especially if you have been on the move all day. Keep a thermometer in all the important areas in your nursery - don't just rely on one because internal temperatures can vary from room to room by several degrees - and remember to place the thermometer where it can be easily seen. Babies'R'Us has room thermometers with nursery motif decoration: available in Round the garden teddy; All aboard pastels and All aboard brights, priced 2.99 each.
Telephone 0345 869778
PHP's Room Thermometer provides the indoor and outdoor temperature via a sensor device which is placed outside the window. The thermometer is operated by batteries and can be placed anywhere in the room, while a slim cord is placed outside - useful for deciding whether it's going to be too hot for outdoor activities and also in the winter when you need to know how many layers the babies will need. The PHP Room Thermometer is priced 12.95.
Telephone 0870 607 0545
For a large, no-nonsense look at the temperature it's worth considering Galt's Large Thermometer which is plain white with large black markings and measures 39 cm. Priced 9.99.
Telephone 08702 424477
NES Arnold stocks a wide range of thermometers, one of which is its Giant Wall Thermometer. This has sun and frost illustrations, dual range calibrations and is 380 mm long, priced 8.91.
Telephone 0870 6000 192
