Strategies for beating the summer heat: Nine clever techniques, including a nightly routine to keep the fan off while sleeping
As the temperature soars and reaches 31°C today, with another rise predicted for tomorrow, it's essential to find ways to keep cool at home without breaking the bank. Here are some practical tips that make use of natural ventilation, shading, and simple DIY hacks to help you beat the heat.
Block Sunlight
One of the most effective ways to prevent heat build-up in your home is by keeping blinds and curtains closed during the day 1, 2, 5. This simple action can significantly reduce the amount of heat that enters your home and helps maintain a cooler indoor environment.
Ventilate with Cross Breeze
To create airflow and exchange warm indoor air for cooler outdoor air, strategically position fans or open windows. Place one fan facing out to push hot air out, while another pulls cooler air in. This setup, known as a cross-breeze, can help circulate air and keep your home cool [1].
DIY Swamp Cooler
For an easy and affordable cooling hack, place frozen water bottles inside a bucket with holes and position a fan blowing over it. The evaporative cooling effect can lower the air temperature significantly 1, 3.
Cool Towels
Soak small towels in cold water, chill them briefly in the freezer, then drape them around your neck or forehead for immediate personal cooling [1].
Dampen Curtains or Sheets
Hang lightly dampened curtains or bed sheets in open windows or doorways to cool the incoming breeze by evaporation [1].
Stay Low
Since hot air rises, spending time on lower floors or close to the ground where air is cooler can help you stay comfortable 2, [5].
Turn Off Heat Sources
Switch off unnecessary lights and electrical devices that generate heat, including smartphones and tablets when charging [2].
Unconventional Hacks
Some suggest painting windows with something white or even yoghurt to reflect sunlight and reduce heat inside [4]. Long-term, insulating your home and painting it white helps keep heat out and reflect sunlight, respectively [2].
Additional Practical Tips
- Sleep downstairs if possible to stay cooler [2].
- Use frozen rice socks as cold compresses [2].
- Mimic a "cave" by keeping your home dark and cool without direct sunlight or open entries for heat [5].
These methods rely mostly on natural ventilation, shading, and personal cooling without incurring electricity costs or special equipment. Together, they can reduce indoor temperatures and make heatwaves more bearable at home without air conditioning 1, 2, 5.
Final Thoughts
In addition to these tips, it's essential to stay hydrated by carrying a water bottle and taking sips throughout the day [6]. Preparing cold meals or grilling outdoors can help avoid turning the oven on during hot weather. And don't forget to wear a hat that shades the face, neck, and ears, and breathable fabrics that do not let sunlight through [7].
As the weather warnings have been issued for Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, the South East, and the South West [8], it's crucial to be prepared and take action to stay cool at home during the heatwave. Stay safe and beat the heat!
- In addition to natural ventilation and shading techniques, placing frozen water bottles in a bucket with holes and positioning a fan blowing over it (known as a DIY swamp cooler) can help lower the air temperature significantly.
- Spending time on lower floors or close to the ground where air is cooler, and sleeping downstairs if possible, can help keep you comfortable during hot weather.
- For an easy and affordable cooling hack, soaking small towels in cold water, chilling them briefly in the freezer, then draping them around your neck or forehead provides immediate personal cooling.
- To mitigate climate change and its effects, such as heatwaves, implementing long-term solutions like insulating your home and painting it white to keep heat out and reflect sunlight can be helpful.
- Creating a cross-breeze by strategically positioning fans or open windows, with one fan pushing hot air out and another pulling cooler air in, can help circulate air and keep your home cool.
- Staying hydrated by carrying a water bottle and taking sips throughout the day is essential for maintaining good health and wellness during hot weather.
- Wearing a hat that shades the face, neck, and ears, and breathable fabrics that do not let sunlight through can help protect you from the harmful effects of the sun's rays during hot weather.
- With weather warnings issued for several regions, including Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, the South East, and the South West, it's vital to prepare and take action to stay cool at home during the heatwave to ensure your health, fitness, and well-being.
