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:
- Keep the windows and curtains closed
- If windows are open, ensure a cross-breeze
- Leaving bowls of water lying around
- Use a fan
- Take cold showers
- Use thin bedding
