During heatwaves and hot sticky nights, knowing how to keep your house cool in summer can be a lifesaver. Summer is a fun season full of barbecues, beach trips, and dips in the paddling pool. While we all crave the sun, many of us are troubled by the subsequent high temperatures. The majority of the United Kingdom is experiencing extreme temperatures. Most of the health risk comes from heat inside people’s homes; so how can they be kept cool?
The risks
A hotter home can cause eczema, lethargy, poor concentration, disturbed sleep, and fatigue. The body is also sensitive to scorching temperatures. In addition, a 7°F (4°C) increase in temperature could more than double bacterial growth rates, increasing the risk of food poisoning and germ spread.
Keeping your home cool
We spoke to some industry experts at our local Rise Park estate agents, and here are some of the best ways they advised you to keep your home cool this summer.
Closing blinds
Close your blinds, especially on north and west-facing windows, to keep your home cool. Better yet, purchase some block-out curtains to protect your home from the hot summer sun.
Closing windows
As tempting as it is to throw open the windows at the first sign of heat, it may backfire. To keep your home cool, you must keep hot air out. This includes keeping windows closed during the day, especially those facing south.
Heat reducing film
Because windows allow approximately 30% of ambient heat into your home, one quick and easy fix to keep your home cool is to apply a reflective, heat-reducing window film to regulate the temperature. It also works in reverse, trapping more warm air inside during the winter months — and it’s easy to set up!
Fans
This may not be the most energy-efficient way of cooling a house. Still, a well-directed electric fan can provide significant cooling power on hot nights. Given their high energy consumption, it is vital to use them as efficiently as possible. Direct them upwards to take advantage of the cooler air in your home, which will settle at floor level, and ensure no large pieces of furniture obstruct the flow of air produced.
A frozen water bottle or a bowl of ice placed at an angle in front of your fan will significantly cool the air. As the ice melts and the air blows onto the bowl, it creates moisture and cools you down.
Appliances
Consider using your oven less frequently and other devices such as your microwave, dishwasher, and washing machine, which all produce heat. If you must, choose lower cycles/use time and try to use them when it is cooler outside so that you can let some of the heat escape through the windows.
