Keeping Welsh homes cool during a heatwave is achievable with simple, practical methods that require no air conditioning or fans. According to home experts, these strategies can reduce indoor temperatures significantly and are easy to implement.
Close Curtains and Blinds Early
Drawing blinds, curtains, and shutters during daylight hours blocks direct sunlight and prevents heat buildup indoors. Experts at Country Living recommend using lighter fabrics and reflective materials like window film or tin foil to bounce heat away. They advise doing this early in the day, long before temperatures peak.
Natural Ventilation at Night
After 8 pm, when daytime heat subsides, open windows and doors to flush out hot air and let in cooler air. Creating a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of the property enhances cooling. This method is most effective when the outside temperature drops below indoor levels.
Cool One Room Instead of the Whole House
The Red Cross suggests designating one or two rooms to keep cooler, keeping windows covered and doors shut to stop warm air entering. Avoid spending time in rooms that generate heat, such as kitchens with appliances or rooms with large windows in direct sunlight.
Use Fans Efficiently
If using an electric fan, run it only when you are in the room, as it wastes energy otherwise. Place the fan by a window if it is colder outside than inside. For extra cooling, place a bowl of ice in front of the fan to create an air-conditioning effect, as recommended by the consumer watchdog Which?.
