Summer is a well-loved time of year for many reasons, but heatwaves can be a struggle to deal with in the UK.
When extremely hot periods of weather arrive, it can turn our homes into what feels like a giant oven, often making them unbearable to live in.
Bedrooms and living rooms can be the most difficult places to keep cool when temperatures reach over 30 degrees for days at a time.
When it’s this hot, many of us try to cool the house down by opening curtains, blinds and all the windows to help the heat escape.
However, keeping your curtains or windows closed can help to keep the heat out.
There are specific times of the day when you should keep your windows shut to keep your house cool.
When should I shut my windows to stop the heat?
David Weaver, owner of Reveal, said: “During hot weather, the aim is to keep heat out during the day, then use cooler evening air to ventilate the home properly.”
He added: “A home will cool more effectively when air has a route through it, not when just one window is left slightly open.
“Opening windows or doors on opposite sides of the house once temperatures drop can help create the steady airflow people need for a more comfortable night.
“One of the biggest mistakes is opening everything too early, because you can end up pulling hotter air indoors instead of keeping rooms cooler.
“Good ventilation is not about blasting the house with air all day, it is about timing and airflow, especially in the evening when outside temperatures begin to fall.”
He advised homeowners to try “better shading and smarter ventilation” before spending money on fans or air conditioning.
Heath Showman at Lifestyle Blinds added: “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.”
How to keep your house cool during a heatwave
If you’re struggling to ventilate your home or feel like the heat is trapped inside, there are a few simple and budget-friendly things you can do to help.
Heath said: “People underestimate how quickly homes can trap heat during warmer weather, especially rooms with large windows or direct sunlight throughout the day.
How to cope with hot weather
“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.
“Blinds can make a particularly noticeable difference as they help block direct sunlight before rooms begin to heat up, which is especially useful in south-facing spaces during summer.”
Some other tips include:
Open windows at the top of the house - Warm air rises, so opening the windows at the top of the house can help any trapped air to escape.
Upgrade your lighting - Switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs throughout your home to help produce a lot less internal heat long term.
This is because standard incandescent light bulbs convert 90% of their energy into heat, while LED bulbs produce far less heat.
Close your blinds - During the warmest hours of the day when your windows are closed, you should also close your windows or blinds.
When the sun is coming through your windows, it can dramatically increase your home’s internal temperature.
Turn off appliances - 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.
What is a heatwave?
Has the UK ever hit 40 degrees?
Back in 2022, parts of the UK recorded temperatures of over 40C (104F) for the first time, the BBC reported.
Temperatures hit 40.3C at Coningsby in Lincolnshire, while 33 other locations went past the previous highest temperature of 38.7C, which was set in 2019.
Recommended reading:
- Will schools stay open as parts of UK hit with red weather warnings for extreme heat
- What are wet bulb temperatures? UK prepares for hottest June on record this week
- Extreme heat warnings expanded as the UK heatwave to soar to 38C this week
At the time, the extremely hot weather caused a surge in fires, and numerous major incidents were declared by fire services.
Meanwhile, some train services were cancelled due to tracks that overheated or buckled, and overhead cables failed.
What are your top tips for coping with a heatwave in the UK? Tell us in the comments below.
