It’s hot, isn’t it? Too hot, some might say, with the current heatwave set to send temperatures soaring as high as 33°C in parts of the country. For most Brits, air conditioning is still more of a hotel luxury than a standard feature at home. In fact, fewer than 5% of UK properties are thought to have built-in aircon — a tiny number compared with countries like the US, where it’s considered essential. There’s a good reason for that; our homes were built to keep heat in during long winters and traditionally mild summers, rather than letting it out. But as heatwaves become more common and the mercury continues to climb, many are now struggling to stay comfortable. The good news is that you don’t need expensive air conditioning to make a noticeable difference to a stuffy room. And not only can you cool most spaces down for literal pennies, you can typically use things you already have lying around.
Create Your Own Air Conditioning
No air con? No problem. Simply put a bottle filled with ice and a tablespoon of salt into your freezer, and the salt will help the freezing point of the water go even lower, creating colder ice. Once you’ve done that, put the bottles in front of the fan. As the ice melts, the breeze from the fan will pick up the cool air coming from the ice’s surface, recreating a cool breeze similar to an air conditioning unit. Alternatively, a bowl of water in front of the fan, or a wet towel placed over a fan works just as well.
Keep Curtains and Windows Closed During the Day
On a beautiful day, it’s natural to want to have the sun shining in. However, by doing so, you’re creating a greenhouse-like heat effect. A room will stay cooler if curtains and blinds are closed; even better if they’re the blackout variety. An open window will also let hot air into the house — which, if you have a fan on the go, completely defeats the point.
Open Windows Once the Day Gets Cooler
Windows should be kept closed when the day is at its hottest, but once the heat starts to drop, they can be opened again. Temperatures fall considerably at night, so opening a window in the evening will allow cool air to circulate around the house — and it should help you sleep better, too. If you have flies and mosquitoes getting in, it might be time to invest in a net.
Keep Inside Doors Closed During the Hottest Parts of the Day
Similar to windows, it can be tempting to keep all of your inside doors open as the weather hots up – but this can actually add to the problem. When heat is at its most intense, shut off unused rooms so the limited breeze can permeate through the rooms you’re in. As it starts to get cooler, leave the bedroom doors open at night so cool air can travel through the home.
Use Correct Bedding
Having the right bedding is key to ensuring you stay cool in your home. Pillow inserts are an option and can be used at night when it gets too hot, since they’re naturally cooling and don’t require refrigeration. When the temperatures soar you may also want to switch to sateen sheets, which work better at wicking sweat than cotton (necessary in a warm climate) and are less expensive than the alternative of silk.
And the Right Blinds
It may seem simple, but choosing the correct blinds can have a big effect on how much heat gets into your home. Venetian blinds help to keep the temperature down by allowing you to adjust the amount of light coming into the room by altering the size of the gap between the slats. Or you could choose blackout blinds, which completely block out the sunlight by using a thick fabric material.
Checklist to Help You Prepare for the Heat
- Make sure you’ve got enough supplies of food, water, and any medication you need.
- Arrange extra support if you need it – for example, to help with shopping if it’s too hot to go out.
- Check that your fridge and freezers are working properly.
- Make sure that any fans and air-conditioning are working.
- Check that you can open windows and vents so you can safely ventilate your home.
- Check that you turn off your central heating.
- Consider getting some plants – these can help cool the air.
- Keep a thermometer in a commonly-used room, out of direct sunlight.
Buy Some Houseplants
If you’re looking for an excuse to buy more houseplants, then listen up. Indoor plants can help cool a house in warm weather, as they consume hot air for their natural processes. When an atmosphere heats up, plants will often release excess water into the air from their leaves — as a result, cooling themselves and the surrounding environment. Some of the best options include rubber plants, Chinese evergreens, palms, mother-in-law’s tongues and ficus benjaminas.
Turn Off the Lights
As you might remember from your secondary school science classes, lightbulbs give off heat. So, keeping lights off is one of the many small measures you can take to help cool your house down. Better still, it’s more environmentally-friendly and less money will be spent on bills.
Turn Off Your Technology (If Possible)
Similar to lightbulbs, electrical appliances radiate heat — so it’s a good idea to turn any off that are not being used. Of course, and especially when working from home, some devices are in constant use, but technology that isn’t (such as TVs, speakers and even phone chargers) can be switched off. Be sure to fully unplug them, rather than just turning the switch off, though. This standby mode is often referred to as ‘vampire power’ because it still continues to drain energy, and thus to produce heat.
Hang a Wet Sheet
An alternative to the ice in front of the fan is the wet sheet by an open window. The breeze from outside will turn cool from the sheet’s moisture which will help bring the temperature down in a room. Spraying curtains or blinds with cold water will also create a similar effect.
Create a Cross Breeze with Fans
If you have multiple fans, you can create a cross-breeze to make a room even cooler. For example, a fan by a doorway can blow cool air into the room, while a fan in the window (facing outwards) will pull hot air away. This positioning keeps air moving through the room, so you have a constant flow. Just be sure to position yourself between these two fans (in the middle of the flow of air) for best results.
Step Away from the Oven
It may seem rather obvious, but cooking big meals in an oven at 300 degrees for 40 minutes is going to do little to keep your home cool. And if you’re boiling anything, try to keep a lid on pans to stop the heat from escaping.
And the Steam
When you’re going for a shower or bath during the heatwave, cold (or lukewarm) water doesn’t just feel refreshing; it also avoids your home overheating. This steam creates a warm humidity that’s hard to shift when it’s also warm and humid outside – and let’s face it, you don’t need to be any more clammy right now. Try to keep usage on other things that cause steam — such as the washing machine or dishwasher — to a minimum as well, or at least be careful when opening doors.
And if all else fails, a cold flannel on your forehead should tide you over.
