Have you ever stumbled upon an innovative new gadget online and thought, "Can I actually buy this in the U.S.?" This is the current situation with the KYL fan attachment—an award-winning idea that promises green cooling without the expense or weight of an air conditioner. If you're sick of the scorching summers and are wondering if you can purchase the KYL for your home, read on for the full details, as well as some myth-busting throughout the process.
What is the KYL Fan Attachment?
KYL KYL is an ingenious fan accessory created to cool your air without traditional refrigerants or energy-hungry compressors. It claims to reduce temperatures by approximately 1.5°C (34.7°F) and possibly more importantly on hot summer days, decrease the humidity of the room. It's not a product that is owned by IKEA. You might have seen it on TV in an IKEA design competition winner, but it hasn't yet been launched in stores.
Why Humidity Control Matters
For a lot of people, particularly in states with humid, hot summers, comfort is more than temperature. Dehumidification makes the room feel cooler, even when the temperature doesn't fall significantly. 28°C when there's 90 percent humidity (that's approximately 85°F) is a bit oppressive; reduce the humidity, and it makes a huge difference. That's the main benefit of the KYL—making your space feel more comfortable through an easy attachment.
Is the KYL Available to Buy in the United States?
Here's where things can get a bit confusing: KYL isn't commercially available at this point—not in the U.S. and nowhere in the world. While it's caused a lot of attention on the internet and has won design awards, as of today it's not available to go to Target or browse Amazon and purchase one. There's no manufacturer or distributor selling the KYL to purchase. If you see any advertisements suggesting that you can purchase it at the same time as your usual fans in your home, it's an internet comedy (or just wishful thinking!).
"It's an IKEA award winner—not an IKEA product. It's also not produced yet."
Does It Really Work? A Closer Look
The KYL's design uses a silica gel filter for absorption of moisture and is based on Bernoulli's principle (the science behind how air movement alters speed and pressure). However, a number of engineers and home experts have been unsure if its cooling effects are important in real-world usage. For example, a typical plug-in dehumidifier can fill up a whole bucket of water after an extremely hot day, whereas the passive filter KYL uses may not have the same power or speed.
Smart Summer Alternatives and Life Hacks
In the meantime, (or when) the KYL comes out, there are plenty of tried and true American strategies to stay cool. Try placing an ice cube in front of your fans, utilizing curtains to block out the sun during the hottest times, or run the ceiling fan counter-clockwise, pushing cool air downwards. For humidity, inexpensive plug-in dehumidifiers are available at home improvement stores as well as online retailers. These techniques, when combined with the most basic cooling strategies, will help beat the heat without running the AC all day. Your pocket (and the earth) will be grateful.
After examining the KYL story, one thing is evident: the pace of innovation in green cooling is on the rise, even if the most innovative ideas can take a while to move from concept to living room. Keep an eye out for any future developments if you're looking forward to seeing KYL come to the US market. At present, using the latest fan attachments and the classic summer hacks is the most effective (and readily available) option to get comfortable, inexpensive cooling. And if anyone attempts to search "Where can you buy KYL in the US?" they'll find the truth!
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