UK households have been advised to unplug 11 household items on Tuesday, July 7, as the weather is set to become hot again. After a record-breaking heatwave in June that saw temperatures reach close to 40C in many parts of Britain, more hot weather is on the way. According to the latest weather maps from WXCharts, conditions will surpass 30C in many regions of the UK on Tuesday, with the hottest conditions expected on Wednesday, July 8, where temperatures could reach as high as 38C in some areas.
Why Unplugging Helps During a Heatwave
Brits will once again struggle to keep their homes cool during this extreme heat. While strategically opening and closing windows and using electric fans are good ways to stay cool at home during a heatwave, certain habits can make things worse. Experts advise unplugging certain appliances and electronics during a heatwave, as they produce an excess amount of heat in your home. This includes phone chargers, which can get hot when left plugged in for a long time, even when your phone is fully charged.
Common countertop appliances such as toasters and kettles can also produce excess heat, as can entertainment appliances such as speakers and televisions. Amanda Nelson, Co-Owner of Young Cardinal Electric, says that unplugging anything non-essential or on standby can be a surprisingly effective way to reduce unnecessary energy consumption and heat in your home.
Items to Unplug During Hot Weather
The items you should consider unplugging during hot weather in the UK include:
- Phone and tablet chargers
- TVs
- Computers
- Monitors
- Hair straighteners and hair dryers
- Toasters
- Coffee machines
- Air fryers
- Microwaves
- Kettles
- Game consoles
Additionally, fans should be switched off and unplugged when they are not in use. Electric fans are not used to cool a room, but they are used to cool a person's body. If you leave a fan on while you are not in the room, its motor could actually be generating more heat, making it harder for you to cool down.
Broader Context of the Heatwave
Experts have warned of soaring temperatures in the UK and Europe this summer. Some have attributed this to the super El Niño occurring this year, while others have blamed manmade climate change. The upcoming heatwave is expected to be one of the most intense of the year, with temperatures potentially breaking records set in June.
