Summer in the UK is a temperamental season where it can go from blazing sunshine to absolute downpour in the space of 5 minutes. However, when it does actually get hot in the UK our homes are not always prepared for it.
Not many of us are lucky enough to have ceiling fans in our homes and even less of us have the privilege of air conditioning. So what do you do in when a sudden British heatwave approaches? We’ve prepared some simple tips to keep your home cool in the summer.
Close your blinds, shutters and curtains
Try to block out the sun from your home as much as possible. If the sun is constantly shining into your house it will also heat it up. If you keep all the blinds and shutters closed the sun won’t be able to create warmth.
Become green with houseplants
Did you know plants can actually keep your home cool? If you place them close to the windows they will absorb some of the suns heat, stopping it getting into the house. If you place some outside they can also create shade on your house stopping the sun shining on your walls.
Create a cold water fan
If you have a fan in your home but it’s just pumping around the warm air, place a bowl of cold water in front of it and it will create a cool breeze.
Switch off your electronics
Do you have a few computers, a TV and many other electronic devices lying around your home? Make sure they are turned off. They create heat and get even more hot when the weather is warm.
Ditch the oven
No more roast dinners! Eating hot stodgy meals isn’t good when you are tying to stay cool. Your body will also use up more energy trying to digest it. Also if you have the oven on all day it’s like having an extra radiator in your home. Turn it off and eat some salad!
Create an air flow with your windows
If you’re lucky enough to have two windows or doors opposite each other, keep them both open and they will create a wind tunnel in your home. Keeping it cool all day long.
Insulate everything
Just the same as insulation keeps the cold out in the winter, it will keep the heat out in the summer. Make sure your home is fully insulated and you will be able to stay cool in summer.
