Tag: heat wave

6 Tips to keep your house cool during the heatwave

Posted on by Max blogger

The UK is expecting another heatwave with temperatures around the 30 degrees mark this week.

Since most houses are not equipped with air conditioning and other tools to deal with such heatwaves, it’s worth looking into alternative ways to keep the house cool when the temperatures are on the rise.

Here we have summarised six simple tricks and tips to keep your house bearable.

 

Keep it dark and closed

The number one strategy to keep your house cool is to keep the hot air out.

It’s tempting to fling open the windows at the first sign of heat, but this could go wrong quickly.

Ensure that you keep the windows closed during the day – particularly the south-facing windows.

In addition, ensure that the blinds are down, and the curtains are drawn. The nighttime is a good time to open the windows and give the house a good airing from a cool breeze.

Work with a cross-breeze

Although it’s advisable to keep the windows closed to ensure that the hot air stays out, from time to time we all need a bit of a breeze.

Thankfully, the British summer can feature some winds as well, so if you open the windows, ensure that you get a nice flow of air moving through the house.

This means opening windows on opposite sides of the house or room and keeping doors open so the air can move through freely.

Another trick is to point a fan at an open window so that it’s pushing the hot air outside. If you can, keep curtains and blinds closed or partially closed – to deflect any direct sunlight.

Dehumidify your rooms

Leaving bowls of water lying around might seem a little strange but doing so can help to dehumidify your rooms.

If you want to go a step further, you can invest around £20 to buy an electric dehumidifier.

 

Use a fan

Electric fans can be pure luxury during a heatwave however it’s important to use them in the right way.

Since heat rises, the coolest air in your house is going to be at floor level.

So, if you have a fan, set it on the floor and point it upwards.

Position it so that it points outwards towards the opposite wall, with no large objects in the way ideally.

This way the cooler air will bounce mix with the warm air and lower the temperature.

In days where not just the temperatures are on the rise but also the energy costs ensure not to overrun the fan. Ideally, you’ll get a fan with a timer.

Take a cold shower

It’s not for everyone, but a cold shower before bed and then just slightly tapping your body dry is the most pleasant way to switch off from a long hot day.

This is a simple strategy to trick your body into thinking it’s cooler.

Remember not to make the water too cold, and don’t do this right after you’ve come in from intense heat – a sudden change in body temperature isn’t healthy.

 

Use the right bedding

Having the right bedding is key to ensuring you stay cool in your home. Pillow inserts are an option and can be used at night when it gets too hot.

They are naturally cooling and don’t require refrigeration.

Also, when the temperatures soar, you may want to switch to sateen sheets.

They work better than cotton in a warm climate and are less expensive than the alternative of silk.

 

Dealing with the heat can be a tough one, but with a few simple tricks life can become a lot more bearable. In summary, the six strategies are:

  1. Keep the windows and curtains closed
  2. If windows are open, ensure a cross-breeze
  3. Leaving bowls of water lying around
  4. Use a fan
  5. Take cold showers
  6. Use thin bedding

How to cope with hot weather

Posted on by admin

summer2crop

Following a brief and for some refreshing spell of colder and rainy weather, the summer is back in full swing with temperatures up around the 25 degrees region. Compared to the current extreme heat wave in the south of Spain and Portugal where temperatures recently hit more than 40+ degrees, we can still enjoy a reasonable pleasant climate.

However, even in less heat, it’s vital to be prepared for higher temperatures and sunshine as several risks are posed, such as:

  • dehydration
  • overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing
  • heat exhaustion and heatstroke

A heatwave can affect anybody but people most at risks are older people, especially those over 75 babies and young children as well as people with a serious chronic condition, especially heart or breathing problems. People with mobility problems – for example, people with Parkinson’s disease or who have had a stroke should also avoid any heat.

The good news is that with a few very simple tricks serious consequences from high temperatures can be avoided according to the NHS website. Here are some of the most important tips:

During the day, shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. You can open the windows for ventilation when it is cooler.

Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun and don’t go out between 11am and 3pm (the hottest part of the day) if you’re vulnerable to the effects of heat.

Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this isn’t possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter).

Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.

Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol – water, lower-fat milks and tea and coffee are good options. You can also drink fruit juice, smoothies and soft drinks, but they can be high in sugar. Limit fruit juice or smoothies to a combined total of 150ml a day, and only drink diet or sugar-free soft drinks.

Plan ahead to make sure you have enough supplies, such as food, water and any medications you need.

Identify the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool.

Wear loose, cool clothing, and a hat and sunglasses if you go outdoors.

So, in order to stay cool during the next heat wave just follow these simple steps.

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