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Keeping your house cool in a heatwave is a definite must. In the UK our houses are insulated to keep the heat, so how should you keep your homes thermally comfortable, especially if your property receives a lot of sunlight throughout the day. There are several ways in which you can achieve this from cheap DIY options to more expensive long-term answers.
The average UK home doesn’t have a central air conditioners or ceiling fans to keep the house cool in summer. But there are still things that can be done to avoid the house getting unbearably hot.
Have professionals check your AC unit
One of the best ways to achieve a comfortable home is to check your central AC unit. These machines need periodic maintenance. You need top-notch professionals looking into them like reputable air conditioning Surrey companies that specialise in such services. You need your aircon equipment to work correctly if you want the best results every time and to be energy efficient.
Cover your windows
If you let the direct sunlight inside your rooms, chances are the room will become hotter quickly. To keep the area cooler, you can prevent this by using window coverings such as drapes, curtains or blinds. In addition, you can use blackout or thermal curtains for rooms receiving too much sun although just be mindful that this will increase heat on the glass.
Invest in quality insulation
As a homeowner, you know that insulation is a must because it acts as a barrier from the elements and helps to keep the area cooler. Although you may be tempted to remove insulating material, don’t do it. They’re your protection from the heatwave, and their presence prevents your house from becoming a sweatbox. It’s also essential in winter to not waste heat when the temperatures are reversed.
Check for gaps around the house
You can hire an energy auditor to determine where the gaps are hiding in your house. These gaps are small, but they let cool air out. They affect the level of thermal comfort and make your air conditioner work harder, which isn’t ideal for temperature control or your bills. You can seal these gaps yourself or hire a craftsman to work on them. If you have old style sash windows this can be a problem, double glazed and energy efficient windows will undoubtedly not be an issue.
Switch to LED bulbs
If you’re still using conventional incandescent light bulbs, it’s probably time to switch to compact fluorescent or LED lamps and bulbs. The reason is simple; incandescent lights produce more heat than CFLs or LEDs. Another advantage of switching is that these bulbs and lamps don’t consume much energy, allowing you savings on your bill.
Use a dehumidifier and air purifier
There is a difference between heat and humidity levels in hot weather, with the latter the main driver of sweat. Invest in a top-quality dehumidifier or air purifier. Although it won’t affect the temperature, the equipment will help reduce the feeling of hot, sticky air that makes people uncomfortable.
Open your windows during the night
Experts say leaving windows open during the day lets hot air in, but of course it depends on if the temperature of the warm air is cooler than the inside of the house. Plus any cross breeze is always welcoming.
We tested this during the record temperatures last week with our south facing windows and found that the loft en suite bathroom with the window left open was vastly cooler. The bedroom was a lot hotter until we opened the windows in the early evening and it quickly cooled down the room more so than the bathroom. There could easily be flooring vs carpet plus room size impacts as hot air rises too, this was not a scientific test.
But there is no doubt that windows open when the air outside keeps rooms cool, especially if the cooler air can flow across the house on breezy summer evenings. If you do have air conditioning or a ceiling fan, this would reduce energy costs as would not be needed.
Have a cold shower before bed
Bringing down your core body temperature will give you a good night’s sleep in those hot sticky nights. You can also fill a hot water bottle with freezing cold water to use it keep cool. Some people use an electric fan but you need to balance up running costs as it will save money being off.
Conclusion
There are several ways you can keep your house cool in warm weather. But, first, you must integrate a few simple hacks to ensure you feel comfortable throughout the day by regulating air movement. With global warming and climate change, there is a good chance intense heat and hot nights will be more commonplace, so it might be time to invest in aircon to help keep your home cool.
