The 'lockdown method' is a traditional Spanish technique to keep homes cool without air conditioning, relying on closing shutters completely from morning until night to block heat. With temperatures in Spain often reaching 45°C in central and southern regions, and only 41% of Spanish homes equipped with air conditioning according to a survey by property experts Idealista, many Spaniards turn to this time-honoured approach.
How the Lockdown Method Works
As a Spaniard, the method I’ve seen the most during the summer months is the 'lockdown' or 'blackout method'. To keep the house cool during the day without using air conditioning or a fan, people close the shutters completely in the morning—between 8am and 9am or as soon as they wake up—blocking the sun and heat. They do not open them again until the night, keeping their homes in total lockdown during the day.
Travel experts at Spainwise recommend: 'Keep blinds, shutters and/or curtains closed during peak sunshine hours but leave windows open at night and early in the morning so your room can cool down.'
Spaniards Share Their Tips on Reddit
On Reddit, Spaniards agree that this is the most popular method. One person said: 'Open the windows in the morning until 11 or so. Then, close the blinds so almost no light passes into the house. And then, at night, open them again.' Another explained: 'If your house is cool when you wake up in the morning, and you close it up, it'll be easier to keep the heat from coming in during the afternoon. Basically, it's like the refrigerator door.'
A third Redditor shared a clever tip: 'Do not, under any circumstances, leave your house in siesta hours. If you thought we are lazy, it's because you didn't spend a summer in my village. These hours are the hottest ones, you'll face heatstroke.'
Adapting the Method for UK Homes
Most houses in Spain are equipped with exterior shutters that completely block the light; however, UK households can use this same method with curtains or blinds. Closing curtains or blinds during peak sunshine hours helps prevent heat from entering, while opening windows at night allows cooler air to circulate.
Additional Cooling Methods
Other methods to keep the house cool during extreme heat include placing a milk carton in front of a fan or hanging a wet sheet in front of an open window. These low-cost techniques can provide relief without the expense of air conditioning.
