Tue 19 Jul 2022

Anne Butcher, Managing Director

How to Keep Your Home Cool this Summer

Today may be the hottest day the United kingdom has experienced since records began! It's fantastic when a heatwave hits the UK - It almost makes you wonder why we ever complain about the weather! Obviously, the heat can become uncomfortable so we've put together some tips and tricks on how to keep your home as cool as possible without air conditioning units.

 

Windows and Doors - Open or Closed During a Heatwave?

During a heatwave, your best bet is to keep your windows open during the night to allow the cooler night air to circulate in your home. For security reasons, you should open night vents and/or the top light windows, rather than the main casement windows, especially on the ground floor. A common mistake that is made when trying to cool your home in the Summer is to leave all windows and doors open all day. This, however, will just let out all that cool air you've allowed circulating during the night! So, the best way to keep your home cool during the daytime is to only open windows that are North-facing or are in the shade. The general rule of thumb is that if you open a window and the air coming in is warmer than the air inside your home, keep it closed. If your property has a loft room, it is always the hottest room in the house due to the heat rising up into it. So in extreme heat, leave the Velux window(s) open and it would probably be best to avoid being in the room for long periods of time if it gets unbearably hot. 

 

Avoid Direct Sunlight

As nice as it is to enjoy the nice bright sunshine gleaming through the windows, this will cause a greenhouse effect and heat up your rooms rather quickly. So, to keep your house cool, close all curtains and/or blinds to prevent the sun from heating up your home. You can even purchase peel-on window stickers to reflect solar energy for around £10 on Amazon.

 

Use Fans to Circulate Air

Unlike warmer countries, homes in the UK aren't equipped with air-conditioning usually. You will notice in places like the South of Spain that traditional Spanish homes have very small windows and little insulation. That's because they are designed to keep heat out, whereas homes in the UK are designed to keep heat in! Fans will help move air around the home, dissipating the pockets of warm air. As a home-made airconditioning solution, you could even place a bowl of ice cubes in front of the fan! If, however, you want a more "efficient" way of cooling your home, you could always install air conditioning units. If you're looking for an air conditioning fitter in Yorkshire, get in touch with SRS Cooling & Heating who are based in Lepton, Huddersfield.

 

Limit Hot Activities

It goes without saying, if you don't want to get too hot, you should limit any activities that generate heat like cooking. If you're in your fitness, push forward your exercise routine to the early morning before it warms up.

 

Other things you can do to keep cool

Replace hot drinks with water, or even better - water with freshly squeezed lemon juice! It's incredibly important to stay hydrated during a heatwave and it will make you feel a lot cooler if you drink glasses of water regularly throughout the day. It's not often we get hot weather like we have this week and it's all too tempting to visit the pub or crack open a can of beer or bottle of prosecco after work! However, alcohol does in fact dehydrate you and the sugars in the alcoholic drinks will cause your body to heat up. So be sure to stay hydrated (with water!) Remember to check on vulnerable neighbours and loved ones. There is further advice on what to do during a heatwave on the UK Gov's website.

 

 

Things to do this Summer