How to beat the heat at home during a heatwave

With UK temperatures soaring this week and set to get even hotter, keeping your home – and yourselves – cool can be difficult.

There are lots of things you can do – whether you’re working from home without the benefit of an air-conditioned office or struggling to sleep at night. We’ve put together some tips and tricks to help.

1. Keep your curtains, blinds and windows closed

On a lovely, sunny day, we know the temptation will be to open your blinds, curtains and windows but one of the best ways to stay cool – and block sunlight– is to keep them closed.

According to advice from the NHS on coping with a heatwave, you should only open your windows when it’s cooler outside than inside, such as in the evenings.

If you can afford them, blackout blinds or curtains work well for keeping sunlight out, as well as helping you to keep heat in during the colder winter months (which in turn will help you save money on your energy bills in the long run).

Remember: although it may be tempting, don’t leave your windows open if you’re leaving the house. Make sure you consider your home’s security.

2. Try to use your appliances less

It may seem obvious, but as your oven creates heat, this can contribute to your home becoming uncomfortably warm. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, why not do your cooking outside instead?

A lot of heat is also generated from other appliances/tech around the home, so turn off anything you’re not using. This will help cool your home and it’s good for the environment – and your energy bills – too!

3. Stay hydrated

Making sure you’re drinking enough water is key to staying cool. NHS guidelines suggest we should all be drinking 6 to 8 cups or glasses a day. Hot drinks such as tea and coffee count towards this guideline, but in a heatwave, an iced version of your favourite drink may feel more refreshing.

The NHS also recommend taking cool baths or showers to help regulate your body temperature.

4. Turn fans on

Fans can also help to regulate your body temperature when indoors, and if you fill a bowl with ice water and place this directly in front of the fan, you can create a refreshing breeze.

For a more cost-effective replacement, fill a hot water bottle with cold water instead.

5. And to help you sleep…

During the day, place your pyjamas and/or pillowcase in the freezer. If you take them out just before going to bed, these will cool you down and help you sleep better. Thin cotton sheets will also help absorb sweat and regulate your temperature while you sleep.

You should also be able to open your windows, as the outside air temperature will have fallen. Remember though, your body temperature falls during the night, so you hopefully won’t feel too uncomfortable for long.

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