If the idea of another sweltering heatwave is keeping you up at night, you are certainly not alone. Struggling to sleep during warm weather is incredibly common, and few things are more frustrating than lying awake for hours, unable to drift off.
Reaching for an electric fan is a popular solution, but it is not always the most reliable fix. To help people keep cool during the night, Marks Electrical spoke exclusively to sleep expert Dave Gibson, founder of The Sleep Site. He revealed which cooling appliances are best suited to different types of bedroom, and why one often-overlooked option could be a game-changer.
The Dehumidifier: A Hidden Gem
Dave said: "Our core body temperature naturally begins to fall by around 0.5-1°C as we fall asleep and through the first part of the night, but hot and humid conditions can prevent this cooling process from happening properly, leaving us tossing and turning throughout the night." Before splashing out on an electric fan, it may be worth trying another appliance that many households already own for the colder months — the dehumidifier.
Not only is it brilliant for quickly drying laundry and tackling mould, it can also be very effective at cooling down bedrooms on warm nights. Dave explained: "In a humid bedroom, the air is already saturated, so the sweat can't evaporate from your skin. A dehumidifier literally removes that excess moisture in the air so your body's natural cooling can work effectively in the hot humid nights."
Optimal Humidity Levels
He suggests keeping relative humidity levels between 40-60%. Dropping below this range is best avoided, as overly dry air can cause discomfort when breathing by drying out your nose and throat, which in turn can worsen snoring. Dave added: "It's worth getting this right in both directions. Equally if you leave a room with excess humidity, it can encourage dust mites - and even mould in some cases." One bonus of dehumidifiers is the gentle hum they produce which can double up as white noise and therefore masks sound from outside (and inside) the bedroom.
Alternative: Air Purifier for Hay Fever Sufferers
For those kept awake by hay fever rather than the heat, there is another device that could come in handy — an air purifier. Dave said: "A good air purifier filters out airborne pollen, dust and pet hair and helps you breathe more easily through the night combatting broken sleep from congestion, sneezing and itchy eyes. Typically, you would also get the extra bonus of white noise from purifiers too." Run it with the windows closed so you are cleaning and re-circulating the same low-pollen air rather than constantly inviting more in.
