You don't need air conditioning to stay cool and comfortable during a heatwave. Temperatures might be soaring across the UK this week, with rare red weather warnings issued, but there are plenty of ways to keep your house from overheating.
From shutting windows during peak hours to making a few simple changes around the home, these simple tips can help make hot weather more manageable (and all without an AC unit).
'People underestimate how quickly homes can trap heat during warmer weather, especially rooms with large windows or direct sunlight throughout the day,' says Heath Showman of Lifestyle Blinds.
'Fortunately, keeping your home cool doesn't have to mean investing in expensive air conditioning. Simple changes such as closing blinds during peak sunlight hours, opening windows strategically and reducing heat from lighting and appliances can all help create a more comfortable indoor temperature.'
Here are some expert-approved tips to help keep your home cool without relying on air conditioning:
1. Don't open your windows all day
It seems logical to open a window during a heatwave, but this will only let the hot air in. According to Heath, windows should be opened twice a day — and the timing matters.
'People underestimate how quickly homes can trap heat during warmer weather, especially rooms with large windows or direct sunlight throughout the day,' he says. 'Rather than keeping your windows open all day during warmer weather, open them only in the early morning and late evening. At these times, the air will be cooler and you can create a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of your house.'
2. Turn unused appliances off
Not using your air fryer? Finished with the kettle? Turning off any unused appliances can also help lower your home's temperature. It's also a clever way to save some extra money, with standby consumption costing UK households roughly £147 per year.
'Most of the electrical appliances in your home will be generating a significant amount of heat. Make sure to turn off and unplug appliances when you're not using them. It could help make the difference on those warm summer days,' says Heath.
3. Try the wet sheet hack
'The unusual tricks often have the best results, including hanging a wet sheet over an open window to create a natural cooling effect,' says Chad Bragg, an insulation expert at SuperFOIL.
'Make sure not to completely drench the sheet, or you'll simply end up with a soaked windowsill, but a damp one will help cool and circulate the air more effectively.'
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4. Keep curtains and blinds shut
Open your curtains and blinds early in the morning or in the evening to let cooler air circulate, then shut them again during the hottest part of the day to stop your home from heating up like a greenhouse.
'A common trick is to keep blinds and curtains shut in the mornings to prevent the indoor temperature from reaching the highs of the outdoor heat,' adds Chad.
'However, when it comes to keeping the bedroom cool, where it's positioned in the home can play a significant role in its effectiveness. For north-facing bedrooms, it's best to keep them open in the morning to let the cooler air in before it reaches the peak, but for south-facing bedrooms, it's best to keep them shut; otherwise, the bedroom will instantly become a heat trap.'
5. Open opposite windows
'Many people assume that opening a single window can be enough to cool down a room. While it does allow some fresh air to circulate, it’s often not very effective at lowering the temperature. In fact, if the air outside is warm, it can even make the room feel even hotter and stuffier,' says Martin Garbutt, head of technical governance at home services platform Ding.
'Instead, open two windows that are in line with each other, or at least at opposite ends of the room; this will encourage the air to flow freely through and create a natural airflow that mimics a breeze.'
6. Try a fan cooling trick
There are plenty of fan cooling tricks to help you sleep (or work from home) during a heatwave.
'The key to getting the most out of a fan lies in understanding how they actually work,' explains Matt Ladell, brand manager at Duux. 'Many people think a fan will lower the temperature of a room, but in reality, it's the airflow that creates a cooling effect. With that in mind, a few simple adjustments can make a dramatic difference to comfort during hot weather.'
A tried-and-tested tip is to point your fan out of the window to push the hot air out of the room. Chad says it's a clever way to cool the internal temperature — perfect for rooms like bedrooms when you want to sleep.
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The Cooling Edit
