As the UK braces for a scorching bank holiday weekend with temperatures potentially reaching 33C, a British Gas engineer has shared tips to keep homes cool. Peter Knowles, a service and repair engineer at British Gas, recommends simple habit changes such as keeping windows closed during the day and avoiding cooking or laundry during peak heat hours.
Knowles suggests saving cooking and laundry for cooler parts of the day, typically before or within an hour after sunrise. “Using ovens, hobs, tumble dryers and washing machines during the coolest parts of the day prevents adding extra heat when temperatures peak,” he said. He advises batch cooking early morning or late evening, air-drying laundry outdoors, and embracing lighter meals that don’t require cooking during the hottest hours.
The hottest period of the day is between 11am and 3pm, when UV levels are most intense. The NHS and Met Office both advise staying in the shade during these hours. The Met Office recommends wearing lightweight, light-coloured, high-factor sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat, while the NHS highlights the importance of sun safety, especially for certain groups.
Looking ahead, Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steve Kocher said temperatures will climb through the weekend, with 30C expected on Saturday, 32C on Sunday, and a peak of 33C on Monday in southern England and the Midlands. He noted that May and spring UK temperature records could be broken, surpassing the existing record of 32.8C. Most of the UK will enjoy dry and sunny weather, though Northern Ireland and western Scotland may see more cloud and showers.
