Are you struggling to keep cool at home this summer or is your property heatwave-ready?
With temperatures in the UK set to hit an all-time record of 40C in the coming days, you’re probably wondering how you can avoid sweltering in your own home. Unlike countries where high temperatures are commonplace, most domestic properties in the UK are not built with summer in mind and are designed to retain heat with insulation.
A 2008 study by Mintel found just 0.5% of UK homes have air conditioning and while this figure is likely to have gone up since then, the vast majority of UK homes have no cooling systems installed. Air conditioning is much more commonplace in commercial buildings like offices and but with high numbers of people still working from home in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that people learn how to stay cool in a heatwave.
The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do in your own home which will help when temperatures soar outside.
How can I stop sunlight heating up my home?
On a hot, sunny day, most people instinctively open all their blinds and curtains to let the light in and simply open some windows. However, keeping any shades, curtains or blinds closed during the daytime will help keep your rooms cooler as it will stop sunlight streaming in. You can also use reflectors – similar to the ones people often add to their car windscreens – to deflect sunlight away from your windows.
How can I create a good air flow in my home?
Ideally, you want to get the hot stuffy air out of your home and replace it with a steady stream of cooler air. Keep your windows and curtains closed during the heat of the day but open them up during the evening when the air outside is cooler. Position a fan facing out of the window to push the heat outwards and then place a second fan pointing into your room to help circulate the fresh air from outside throughout your home. This two-fan approach creates will help reduce the indoor temperature which should make it easier for you to sleep.
Should I invest in air conditioning?
A full air conditioning system is a substantial investment and you need to weigh up whether it is worth it for you. Portable air conditioning units are less expensive, although they are also less effective. Do your research into the options available to see which would work best for your property and budget.
If you don’t want to buy an AC unit, you can improvise and make your own by placing a bucket of ice in front of a fan. The warm indoor air will cool down as it passes over the ice, making the fan much more effective.
Another handy trick is to freeze a one-litre bottle of water and put it on a tray, covered by a damp cloth and put this in front of a fan in a room you want to cool down.
How can I sleep better in hot weather?
Night time is often when people struggle most if their home is too hot. The ideal sleeping temperature is between 16 and 18C and it can be challenging to fall asleep if your bedroom is much hotter than that.
Fill a hot water bottle with cold water and pop it in the freezer. Add it to your bed an hour or two before you plan to go to sleep so it can cool it down. You can also sleep with your frozen hot water bottle but make sure you use a cover.
Use bedding which is made from 100 per cent cotton as it is a natural, breathable material so will help prevent you from overheating. Don’t attempt to use a duvet – go for a simple sheet instead.
Taking a cool shower or bath before you go to bed will also help you feel comfortable enough to fall asleep.
What should I eat during hot weather?
During a heatwave, the most important thing is to stay hydrated so drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, heavy meals and spicy foods as these can make it harder to stay cool.
Cooking meals can have a significant impact on the temperature in your home so avoid making anything that needs to be baked in your oven. Go for simple things which don’t need to be cooked like sandwiches and salads or prepare your food outside with a barbecue. You could even try a solar oven, which uses the rays from the sun to heat up food.
If you must cook, using a microwave will mean you can have hot food indoors without turning your kitchen into a sauna.
What can I do with all my summer equipment over winter?
Staying cool can mean a lot of extra equipment, whether you have recently invested in multiple fans and a portable air conditioning unit or you have paddling pools, barbecues and outdoor furniture to find a home for.
Once the heatwave is over and the weather has cooled down, you might want to consider seasonal storage to keep everything safe and out of the way over the winter months. Self storage gives you somewhere to keep bulky items when they are not in use without sacrificing valuable space in your home.
Self Store by Andrew Porter Limited has secure self-storage units available from as little as £7.50 a week. Self Store has storage units in Lancashire and Cumbria and spaces can be reserved online today.
