*While plenty of us will be welcoming the arrival of glorious summer weather, it can be less than ideal when your home starts to feel uncomfortably warm as a result.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to cool down your home – many of which you can do right now. Some methods cost nothing at all, plus some costlier ones that could make a big difference in the longer term.
Whether you’re working from home, trying to get a good night’s sleep, or simply want to relax without feeling like you’re melting, these practical tips will help you beat the heat.
1. Open your windows at night (but close them during the day)
This might sound obvious, but timing is everything when it comes to having your windows open. During hot days, keep your windows closed to prevent warm air from entering your home. But once the sun goes down and temperatures start to drop, open windows on opposite sides of your house to create a cross-breeze.
This technique is known as ‘night-flush ventilation’, and allows cooler evening air to circulate through your home overnight. You’ll wake up to a much more comfortable temperature in the morning. Just remember to close the windows again before the day heats up, so you can trap that refreshing cool air inside.
2. Close curtains and blinds during sunny hours
One of the most effective free ways to keep your home cool is to block the sun’s heat before it gets through your windows. Close curtains, blinds or shutters on windows that face the sun during the hottest parts of the day.
South-facing windows get the most intense sunlight, but don’t forget about east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing ones in the afternoon. Think of your window coverings as a shield against the heat – it’s much easier to prevent heat from entering than it is to cool your home down once it’s already hot inside.
If you don’t have adequate window coverings, even a temporary solution like hanging a light-coloured sheet can make a difference.
3. Use fans strategically
Fans don’t actually cool the air: they create air movement that helps sweat evaporate from your skin – making you feel cooler.
According to Energy Saving Trust, running a fan continuously for 24 hours typically costs between £0.03 and £0.07 – making them a cost-effective cooling solution.
For maximum effect, position fans to draw cooler air from outside (during evening hours) or from cooler parts of your home. If you have ceiling fans, make sure they’re rotating anticlockwise to push air directly downward. You can also place a bowl of ice in front of a fan to create a makeshift air conditioner for small spaces.
4. Switch off heat-generating appliances
Many household appliances generate significant amounts of heat which adds to your cooling burden. Turn off lights and electrical equipment when you’re not using them and avoid using heat-producing appliances during the hottest parts of the day.
Consider doing your cooking early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Better yet, fire up the barbecue and take your cooking outside completely. Your oven can raise your kitchen temperature considerably, so save that Sunday roast for a cooler day and opt for salads, cold soups or grilled meals instead.
The same applies to other appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers – try to run these in the evening when it’s cooler outside.
5. Consider a portable air conditioning unit (but know the costs)
If fans aren’t providing enough relief, you might be considering a portable air conditioning unit. These devices actually remove heat from the air rather than just moving it around, but they come with significantly higher running costs.
Data from the Energy Saving Trust shows that portable air conditioning units cost between £1.12 and £1.30 for 24 hours of continuous use – almost 20 times more expensive than running a typical fan. They also use much more energy and produce more CO2 emissions.
If you do decide to invest in portable air conditioning, make sure you choose the right size unit for your room and ensure there are no gaps where the exhaust pipe goes through the window. Keep internal doors closed when the unit is running, and remember to unplug it when not in use to prevent standby energy consumption.
6. Or an evaporative air cooler
Evaporative air coolers offer a compromise between fans and full air conditioning. These devices work by moving air over water – as the water evaporates, it cools the surrounding air. They’re generally more expensive to buy than fans but use less energy than air conditioning units.
Energy Saving Trust states that evaporative air coolers cost between £0.07 and £0.09 for 24 hours of continuous use. This is similar to a fan but with additional cooling benefits. However, they do add moisture to the air, so make sure to keep rooms well-ventilated when using them.
7. Improve your home’s insulation
This might seem counterintuitive, but good insulation works both ways. Just as a thermal flask keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold, proper home insulation helps keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter.
If your home feels uncomfortably hot in summer and cold in winter, it might be worth looking at this. Loft insulation, wall insulation and proper air sealing can make a significant difference to your year-round comfort levels. While this requires some upfront investment, it will help reduce your energy bills in both summer and winter.
Read more about the government insulation grant available to households.
8. Add window films or external shading
Solar control film applied to your windows can significantly reduce the heating effect of sunlight coming through the glass. While there’s an initial cost involved, this can be particularly effective for south-facing windows or rooms that get extremely hot.
For a longer-term solution, consider external shading options like awnings, pergolas or even planting trees or large shrubs to shade your windows. External shading is much more effective than internal options because it prevents the sun’s heat from reaching the glass in the first place.
9. Use your extractor fan
Don’t forget about the extractor fans often found in kitchens and bathrooms. These fans are designed to remove hot, humid air before it spreads throughout your home. Make sure to use them whenever you’re cooking or having a hot shower – they’ll capture the heat at source rather than letting it circulate through your house.
Many people forget to use these fans or turn them off too quickly. Leave your bathroom fan running for a while after a hot shower to remove all the excess moisture and heat.
10. Create cool zones, and sleep smart
During extreme heat, it might be more practical to focus on cooling one or two rooms rather than your entire home. Choose the rooms you use most – perhaps your living room during the day and bedroom at night – and concentrate your cooling efforts there.
For better sleep, move to the coolest part of your house if possible. Heat rises, so if you have a choice, sleeping on a lower floor will be more comfortable. You can also try placing a damp towel on your forehead or using a hot water bottle filled with cold water at your feet.
Consider investing in cooling products such as gel pillows or cooling mattress toppers, which can help regulate your body temperature during sleep, without increasing your electricity bills.
Planning ahead for next summer
While these tips can help you cope with the current hot weather, it’s worth thinking about longer-term improvements for future summers. Simple additions like internal blinds, external shutters or better window coverings can make a huge difference and don’t require major renovations.
If you’re planning any home improvements, ask contractors about measures to prevent overheating. Modern, highly insulated homes can sometimes trap heat, so it’s important to balance energy efficiency with ventilation and cooling strategies.
Remember that some people are more vulnerable to heat than others, including older adults, young children and those with certain health conditions. If you’re in one of these groups, or if you’re caring for someone who is, it’s particularly important to keep your home as cool as possible during hot weather.
By combining several of these tips and tricks, you can create a much more comfortable home environment without spending a fortune on energy bills. Start with the free options like managing your windows and curtains, then consider investing in fans or other cooling solutions if needed. With a bit of planning and the right approach, you can keep your cool even when the temperature soars.
*Thank you to Rightmove for their helpful advice!