Bedrooms will stay cool at night if you follow four completely free tricks as temperatures are set to soar during the UK heatwave next week. Many of us will struggle to sleep in hot rooms, but there are effective ways to cool them down.
Why is my house so hot at night?
There are numerous reasons why our homes can feel warmer at night. One common mistake is shutting windows and blinds during the day to keep out the sun. While this appears logical, if you leave them closed overnight, the daytime heat becomes trapped inside, meaning the air remains warm without a breeze or airflow.
Another frequent culprit is inadequate insulation or ventilation in your loft, resulting in hot air becoming trapped there after a hot day. This hot air gradually moves downwards through ceilings at night, making upstairs bedrooms feel especially stifling.
During heatwaves, properties absorb heat, but due to thermal lag, materials such as brick, concrete, wood or plasterboard do not cool down immediately once the sun sets. Instead, the warmth is retained and gradually released back into rooms, typically reaching peak discomfort while you are trying to sleep.
Household appliances, from refrigerators and televisions to dishwashers, constantly emit ambient heat into your living areas.
How can I cool my bedroom down?
Create a night-time breeze
When night falls and the outdoor temperature drops below the indoor temperature, open windows on opposite sides of your property. This creates a pathway for air, allowing hot air to escape while cooler air enters.
Block the sun during the day
If it is particularly hot outside, avoid creating a greenhouse effect by shutting windows, curtains and blinds in rooms that face the sun. Johanna Constantinou, interior trends expert at Tapi Carpets and Floors, explains: "In most homes, it's actually far more effective to keep windows, curtains and blinds closed from late morning through to early evening to stop warm air and direct sunlight building up indoors. Then, once temperatures drop in the evening, open windows strategically on opposite sides of the home to create cross ventilation and let cooler air circulate naturally."
Open the loft
If you have an attic or loft, open it in the evenings. This allows hot air that has risen to escape, rather than staying in your bedroom while you try to sleep.
Unplug appliances
Appliances plugged into walls create ambient heat. Switching off whatever you can makes a small but welcome difference. Even a TV on standby generates heat, as do computers and gaming consoles. If you are particularly concerned about the heat, avoid using your oven at dinner to keep your home as cool as possible during the early hours.
How long will the hot weather last?
Met Office experts predict the heatwave will continue well into next week. The peak and most extreme days are expected on Monday and Tuesday. Deputy Chief Forecaster Gregory Wolverson said: "While heatwave criteria will be met for some in the south and southeast of England over the weekend, with temperatures into the low 30s Celsius possible, the warmth will expand and intensify at the start of next week, which, coupled with high temperatures overnight, leads to potential impacts."
The heatwave should regress after Tuesday, but some parts in the south and east will experience hotter temperatures for longer, with chances of "isolated thundery downpours". It is set to be even warmer on Thursday, with Cardiff expecting 29°C and Swansea 28°C. The heatwave is predicted to continue until next Friday, where Monmouth may see temperatures reach up to 29°C.
