A bit of sun can be lovely outside, but it can make it difficult to keep your home cool. UK homes are built to keep the heat inside, which is great in the winter months, but not so helpful in the summer. With parts of the country experiencing a heatwave, it’s important to keep the home as cool as possible, especially if you have children and pets.
Luckily, there are plenty of simple ways to stay comfortable, according to British Gas. They have shared six simple ways to keep your home cool, including free methods that don’t involve purchasing anything.
Close curtains and windows
Posting on their blog, British Gas said: “Tempting as it might be to throw your windows open during a heatwave, leaving them shut when the day is at its hottest will keep rooms cool in summer. So try to only let in the air early or late in the day.”
Create a cooling effect with simple tricks
To “really cool a room down” with a fan, place a deep dish of ice in front of it to chill the breeze. You can also point a box fan out of an open window in the evenings to push hot air out rather than just blowing it around the room.
Encourage air flow
If you want to cool a room with a fan, closing off unused rooms during the day will help keep the house cool in summer. Similarly, opening internal doors when you open the windows in the evening will help air circulate.
The experts said: “A good strategy is to open windows on opposite sides of your home in the early morning or late evening when the outdoor temperature is lower.
“This encourages airflow by letting the warm air inside escape and be replaced by cooler air from outside. If that’s not an option, for example, if you live in a flat that only has windows on one side, open internal doors and use a fan to get the air moving.”
Closing curtains and blinds can keep hot air out (Image: Getty)
Fix reflective window film
An affordable and “super effective” tool for keeping your house cool is by purchasing reflective window film.
It can also be installed by yourself and can reduce heat and glare by up to 99%, according to British Gas. Some people have even tried using tin foil, which they already have in their cupboards.
Use extractor fans cleverly
The experts said: “Extractors don’t just get rid of smells and steam from cooking and showering, during hot weather, they can be put to double use. Open your internal doors and leave your bathroom and kitchen extractor fans running for a while to create airflow to help remove warm air.
“It’s best to do this after cooking or showering, which can both increase humidity and heat. Make sure to open windows and vents elsewhere so that fresh cooler air can come in to replace the warm air expelled by the extractor fan.”
Cool yourself down, too
During a heatwave, running a tepid shower can help keep your body cool and save energy and money on your bills.
When dressing after a shower, pick loose, lightweight clothing made of natural fibres to help regulate temperature. Keeping clothing loose-fitting means it’ll move in a breeze, which can help you cool down.
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