Beat the heat this summer with top tips on staying cool without hiking up our energy bills.
It’s getting hotter. Many of us can’t afford fancy cooling fans or garden pools. But we still need to find ways to cool down.
Most UK homes are built to keep heat in. That’s great in winter, not so much now. Air con is rare. And even with energy prices falling, millions are still struggling.
The good news? There are smart, low-cost ways to stay cool. Whether it’s rigging up a fan the right way or sipping hot tea when it’s roasting out, there are plenty of tricks that actually work.
- Close It All Down
Since UK homes are not designed to withstand heat, it’s important to try cooling our houses during the day, especially between the hottest hours from 11am to 3pm. We may also want to keep our windows shut until night on extra hot days.
- Get a Fan – Fast
A fan costs just pence a day to run, while air conditioning can set us back over £40 a week, according to Uswitch.
But don’t wait around. They can go out of stock in a wink of an eye. We can compare fan prices on Idealo and set our maximum price to our preference. Facebook marketplace is also great for buying second hand fans at a discount.
Pro tip: Angle your fan outwards by the window, not in. It sounds odd, but it pushes hot air out and helps cool the room faster — especially if you’re using it in the evening when it’s cooler outside. You’ve probably been doing it the wrong way round!
- Warm Showers (Yes, Really)
It sounds mad, but a warm shower can help lower body temperature better than a cold one. Cold water makes the body hold on to heat while warm water encourages it to let go. Same goes for a hot cuppa, which is why it’s popular in hot countries.
- Don’t Sleep in the Buff
Wearing loose, breathable pyjamas (cotton’s best) can help absorb sweat and keep us cooler than sleeping starkers.
- Add Some Greenery
Houseplants release moisture and can help cool a room by up to 12 degrees. A few well-placed plants can make a big difference. Check housebeautiful.com for the best ones to buy.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
It’s hard to beat a nice cold beer on a hot summer day, but it is important to stay hydrated, no matter what. Drinks like alcohol and coffee are dehydrating and can leave us feeling overheated.
Carrying around a water bottle with us when we leave the house can make a world of a difference. That and making sure we eat hydrating and light foods like watermelon, cucumber, and soups.
Image: DimaBerlin / Shutterstock
