How to Keep Your House Cool in Summer

Summer in the UK can often feel a lot hotter than anywhere else, even if it isn’t – this is because our homes are built to keep heat in, rather than cool us down. Most people in the UK don’t have access to air conditioning, so it can be hard to cool down when the weather becomes uncharacteristically warm. Here are a few tips and tricks to try that may help to make your home that bit cooler when you need it most!

Close the windows and draw the curtains

Even though this probably goes against all instincts, if you open windows in your house, you are just letting the hot air in! Keeping the windows shut and the curtains closed helps to stop any sunlight streaming in through the window, which will prevent the air heating up in your home. Then, at night-time once the temperature has cooled, you can open the windows and give your home a good airing!

Invest in a fan

A fan is going to be your best friend during the summer months – especially a good one. Since warm air rises, make sure to set your fan so that it is on the floor, and point it upwards. Make sure it is facing the opposite wall, so that the cooler air can bounce off unobstructed and cool down the rest of the room.

If you’re feeling really fancy, why not make your own air conditioning? Simply put a bowl of ice and water in front of your fan – as it melts, the icy water particles will be blown around the room, cooling down even the warmest of houses!

Turn a hot water bottle into an ice pack

Contrary to popular belief, hot water bottles do not have to be exclusively filled with hot water! Simply fill your bottle up and put it in the freezer for a few hours – it will work in the same way as your hot water bottle, helping to cool you down instead of warm you up. This is a brilliant trick to use when trying to sleep, as it will cool down your bed and help to regulate your body temperature.

Don’t use the oven

As the saying goes: ‘if you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen!’ Cooking full meals whilst in the middle of a heatwave isn’t something that many people would get on board with, so swapping to cold meals like salads, or cooking outside, will help to keep your home just that bit cooler. It’s also better for the environment, so it’s a win-win!