Hidden Heat Sources in Your Home
During a heatwave, certain household appliances can silently increase indoor temperatures, leading to higher energy bills and discomfort. Energy experts at boiler and air conditioning installation group BOXT have identified four common culprits: tumble dryers, dishwashers, ovens, and gaming PCs. Angus Struthers, managing director at BOXT, explained: "A lot of people don't realise how much extra heat everyday appliances generate during a heatwave. Tumble dryers, dishwashers, ovens and even gaming PCs can all quietly raise indoor temperatures, especially in smaller homes or flats, making it even harder and more expensive to keep your home cool."
Simple Changes to Reduce Heat
Struthers recommends small adjustments to minimise unnecessary energy use. "Even something as simple as using your extractor fan during a shower can help remove warm, humid air instead of letting it build up inside the home," he said. He also advises using fans alongside cooler evening air rather than in sealed, overheated rooms where they merely circulate warm air.
Effective Use of Cooling Devices
Portable air conditioning units can be costly if improperly sized or vented. "Portable air conditioning units can also be surprisingly costly if they're too small for the room or aren't vented properly, as people often end up running them constantly without seeing much difference in temperature," Struthers warned. Fans, he noted, do not lower room temperature but are effective when combined with proper ventilation once outside air cools.
Prevention Over Cure
Struthers emphasises that preventing heat from entering the home is the most cost-effective strategy. "One of the cheapest ways to keep your home cool is by stopping the heat getting in to begin with. Keeping blinds closed during the hottest part of the day, being smart about when you open your windows and preventing heat from building up indoors can all make a real difference," he said. He added: "It's much cheaper and easier to stop a home overheating than it is to cool it once it already feels like an oven. Taking simple steps to keep heat out in the first place can help reduce the amount of energy needed to stay comfortable during a heatwave."
