It’s a balmy affair in the UK with a mini heatwave on our doorstep, just in time for the long bank holiday weekend.
But while we welcome these warm and sunny British days with open arms, hot weather outside means our homes will be heating up too, making cooling down after a day in the sunshine all the more difficult.
If you’re struggling to cool off at home during this current mini heatwave, it might be because you’re falling at the first hurdle. In fact, there are a number of heatwave mistakes that can actually make your house warmer – without you even realising.
Below, experts share five things to avoid in the heat, to ensure your home stays as cool as possible...
Throwing open your windows
Generally, when temperatures are high outside, it’s a better idea to keep windows closed during the daytime.
"The instinct might be to fling open your windows all day, but resist," Lisa Cooper, an interiors expert at Thomas Sanderson, tells Country Living.
"During the hottest part of the day, this lets hot air right in. Instead, keep windows closed and wait for the cooler evening air. Once the sun goes down, open those windows and let the cool air circulate freely throughout your house."
Using cooking appliances
Using ovens, stoves, and other heat-generating appliances will see temperatures in your kitchen climb.
Lisa explains: “Cooking with the oven or stove during a heatwave is like adding fuel to the fire (literally). Look for alternative meal prep methods like grilling outdoors, using an air fryer, or whipping up refreshing salads.”
Keeping electricals plugged in
While they might seem harmless, electronics sitting on standby all day are silently generating heat.
Lisa continues: "Unplug unused appliances like toasters, TVs, phone chargers, and kitchen gadgets. Not only will this help cool your home, but it will also save you some money on your electricity bill.”
Opening your curtains and blinds
We all love natural light, but during a heatwave it becomes an unwelcome guest, explains Lisa.
She adds: “Keeping your blinds and shutters closed, especially between 11am and 3pm when the sun is strongest, can significantly reduce the heat gain inside your home."
Leaving fans in unoccupied rooms
Homeowners often leave fans on in unoccupied rooms all day, hoping it will cool the temperature when they enter later on, says Adam Knight, lead engineer at BOXT.
He adds: “However, fans don’t cool air, they simply move it around, meaning the temperature of your room will not lower. Leaving appliances on in rooms that are not being used will also increase energy bills and cost you more in the long run.”
Other top tips for staying cool:
The best 6 quiet fans for beating the heatwave
How to keep dogs cool during the heatwave
25 beautiful UK wild swimming spots to cool off at during a heatwave
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Lizzie is the multiplatform editor at Country Living, where you’ll find her writing about unique property market finds and dreamy UK staycation spots. Her specialisms include interiors, property, wildlife, travel, slow living and more. Previously, she’s written for Metro, Evening Standard, Ideal Home, Woman & Home and various other home and lifestyle titles. Lizzie studied English Literature at University of Liverpool, where she also was a writer and editor for her uni paper.
