As summer arrives, many Brits look forward to sunny weather, but the downside is often tossing and turning at night. With parts of Wales predicted to reach 30°C at the start of next week, here are four completely free ways to cool down your bedroom and improve your chances of sleeping.
Why Is My House So Hot at Night?
There are several reasons why homes feel hotter at night. Closing windows and blinds during the day to block out the sun can trap daytime heat inside if kept closed at night, preventing ventilation. A lack of insulation or ventilation in the attic can also trap hot air, which then travels downward through ceilings, making upstairs bedrooms uncomfortable.
During heatwaves, homes absorb heat, but materials like brick, concrete, wood, or drywall cool down slowly after sunset. This stored heat radiates back into rooms, often peaking when you are in bed. Additionally, appliances such as fridges, TVs, and dishwashers emit ambient heat into living spaces.
How to Cool Your Bedroom for Free
Create a Night-Time Breeze
When night falls and the outdoor temperature drops below indoor levels, open windows on opposite sides of your property. This creates a pathway for air, allowing hot air to escape and cooler air to enter.
Block the Sun During the Day
On particularly hot days, shut windows, curtains, and blinds in rooms that face the sun to prevent a greenhouse effect. Johanna Constantinou, an interior trends expert at Tapi Carpets and Floors, explains: “In most homes, it's 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 to allow hot air that has risen to escape, rather than lingering in your bedroom while you try to sleep.
Unplug Appliances
Appliances plugged into walls generate ambient heat. Switching off what you can, including TVs on standby, computers, and gaming consoles, can make a small but noticeable difference. Avoid using the oven at dinner to keep your home as cool as possible in the early hours.
How Long Will the Hot Weather Last?
Tuesday is expected to be the warmest day, with 31°C in Monmouth. However, temperatures will remain high on Wednesday, with highs of 26°C to 27°C. Thursday will be even warmer, with Cardiff expecting 29°C and Swansea 28°C. The heatwave is predicted to continue until next Friday, when Monmouth may see temperatures up to 29°C.
