When temperatures rise, keeping your home comfortable can feel like a major challenge. Heatwaves can turn your property into an oven, especially if you lack air conditioning or want to avoid the energy costs of running fans constantly.
Fortunately, there are many simple, practical ways to keep indoor spaces cooler during extreme heat. Most can be implemented in minutes using items you already own. From blocking sunlight to maximizing airflow, these sensible strategies help you beat the heat without costly equipment.
1. Close Curtains and Blinds
It's natural to open curtains when the sun shines, but this can actually raise indoor temperatures. To keep your home cooler, close blinds, curtains, and shutters during the day to prevent direct sunlight from entering and trapping heat. Use light-coloured fabrics if possible, as heavy materials retain heat.
“Do this early on in the day, long before temperatures peak. You may also wish to consider using a reflective surface at windows, such as a reflective window film, external foil screens or budget-friendly tin foil, to bounce the heat away,” reported home experts at Country Living.
2. Natural Ventilation
As evening approaches and temperatures drop—typically after 8pm in summer—open windows to air out your home. “While you seal everything shut during the day, these are the times to fling open the window (and doors when awake), especially those upstairs, to flush out the hot air and let in the cool air,” experts advised. Opening windows on opposite sides of the house creates a cross-breeze that enhances cooling.
3. Make One Room Cool
The Red Cross notes that keeping the entire house cool is difficult. Instead, designate one or two rooms to maintain at a lower temperature. “Keep windows covered and shut and close doors to stop warm air entering,” they warned. “Try to avoid, or spend as little time in as possible, rooms that will be hard to keep cool, like a kitchen where heat is generated by appliances and cooking devices, or rooms with large windows where the sun is shining.”
If you use an electric fan, operate it efficiently: only turn it on when you're in the room; place it by a window if it's colder outside; and, if it's very hot, put a bowl of ice under the fan to mimic an air conditioner, according to watchdog Which?.
