When temperatures soar, keeping your home comfortable can feel like an impossible task. The heatwave can make your home feel like a furnace, especially if you don't have air conditioning or want to avoid the extra energy costs of running fans all day. The good news is that there are plenty of simple, effective ways to keep indoor spaces cooler during a heatwave. Many of these solutions can be implemented in minutes using items you already have around the house. From blocking out the sun to making the most of natural airflow, these practical tips can help you beat the heat without relying on any expensive devices.
1. Close Curtains and Blinds
When we see the sunshine, the first thing we want to do before heading outside is to open up our curtains at home and let the beautiful rays come through. However, this can actually make your home hotter. To keep your home cooler, close your blinds, curtains and shutters during the day to block out direct sunlight and stop heat from building up indoors. If you're using curtains, choose lighter fabrics where possible, as thick, heavy materials can retain heat and make rooms feel warmer.
"Do this early on in the day, long before temperatures peak. You may also wish to consider using a reflective surface at windows, such as a reflective window film, external foil screens or budget-friendly tin foil, to bounce the heat away," reported home experts at Country Living.
2. Natural Ventilation
As the evening begins, daytime temperatures begin to drop. During summertime, this usually occurs after 8pm. The home experts advise utilising this time to ventilate your home. They shared: "While you seal everything shut during the day, these are the times to fling open the window (and doors when awake), especially those upstairs, to flush out the hot air and let in the cool air." If possible, creating a cross breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of the home will further cool things down.
3. Make One Room Cool
According to the Red Cross, it is difficult to keep your whole house cool. Instead, you should create a specific area or choose one or two specific rooms to keep cool. They warned: "Keep windows covered and shut and close doors to stop warm air entering." They added: "Try to avoid, or spend as little time in as possible, rooms that will be hard to keep cool, like a kitchen where heat is generated by appliances and cooking devices, or rooms with large windows where the sun is shining."
4. Use Fans Effectively (If You Have Them)
If you opt to use an electric fan, make sure you use it effectively to avoid wasting energy. Here's what to do, according to watchdog Which?: Don't turn it on unless you're in the room, as it wastes energy and doesn't cool your room. If it's colder outside than in, then place your fan by your window. But if it is hot, then avoid placing fans near windows. If it is too hot, try to place a bowl or glass of ice under your fan - this will act like an air conditioner.
