The UK is experiencing its third heatwave of the summer, with temperatures forecast to reach 34°C in southern England on Thursday, July 9. According to MetDesk, at least 10 areas will see 30°C or higher at 6pm, including the West Midlands, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, and Essex.
Amber heat-health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for the Midlands, London, eastern and southern England. The Met Office's Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway warned: "As well as very high daytime temperatures, there will be consecutive nights where temperatures do not drop below 20°C, which is called a Tropical Night. This will make it very hard for people to recover from the daytime heat, exacerbating the heat stress impacts."
How to cool your bedroom without air conditioning
With warm and humid conditions expected to continue into next week, many households face uncomfortable nights. Most UK homes are built to retain heat, and without air conditioning, cooling down can be challenging. However, a simple, budget-friendly solution involves placing a bowl of cold water on your windowsill.
Energy specialists say positioning a bowl of cold water on windowsills or worktops near an open window is an efficient and inexpensive way to reduce room temperature. The cold water draws heat from the surrounding air and converts it into vapour, lowering the overall temperature. When placed beside an open window, the breeze circulates cooler air throughout the home.
LEAP Energy Advice stated: "Although it may seem peculiar, placing bowls of water around the house can aid in cooling the hot air. This simple technique can be surprisingly effective."
DIY air conditioner with ice and a fan
To speed up cooling, fill bowls with ice cubes instead of cold water and place them in front of a fan. LEAP added: "If you need to cool down quickly, try placing a bowl of ice and cold water in front of your fan's blades. This will cause the air blowing from the fan to pass over the icy water, creating a refreshing sensation on your skin. It's like having a homemade, DIY air-conditioner!"
Combining a fan with a bowl of water is not strictly necessary, as water alone can assist in cooling the air. However, better results are achieved with airflow. Running a fan costs a fraction of operating an air conditioning unit, which can be up to 40 times more expensive.
Endorsed by British Gas
The method is endorsed by major energy provider British Gas as an affordable way to keep cool. British Gas said: "While fans aren't the most expensive appliance to run, using one is still likely to impact your fuel bills - but there are some things you can do to get the most out of the energy you're paying for. To really cool down a room with a fan, place a deep dish of ice in the front of it to whip up the water mist and chill the breeze. You can also point a box fan out of an open window in the evenings - this pushes the hot air out instead of just blowing it around the room."
