As May gets underway and the UK faces warmer weather over the coming weeks and months, households have been encouraged to follow one simple tip to keep homes cool
As the weather warms up across England over the next couple of weeks, households will be looking for ways to cool down their homes for some much needed reprieve from the sun.
The weather this week will be dry and warm, the Met Office has declared, and we can expect sunny conditions to continue over the next week. The west of England will be hit by the very warm conditions the hardest, while temperatures will be slightly cooler for those along the east coast.
Dan Harris, the Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, said that there will be “warm and sunny conditions for the rest of the week”. He added: “Daytime temperatures will be well above average away from the coast, with low to mid 20°s Celsius across many central, southern and western areas.”
Keeping homes cool can be a challenge in the UK, where air conditioning is not as widespread as in other countries with hotter climates. However, while you may feel tempted to open all your windows to let in the air when the temperature is higher, this should actually be avoided, experts have explained.
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Energy firm OVO said that instead, you should be focusing on keeping the hot air out. “This means keeping windows closed during the day – particularly south-facing windows. Keep curtains, blinds and windows shut when the sun is shining directly on them, and when you’re out,” it said. “Try opening windows on the most shaded side of your home, to avoid sunlight and hot air getting in.”
British Gas echoed the sentiment, explaining that leaving your windows shut when the day is at its hottest will keep your house cooler.
It added: “So try to only let the air in early, or late, in the day. Light coloured blinds and curtains made of a weightier fabric offer the best heat-blocking potential, so go for these if you’re thinking of updating yours.”
However, the energy supplier said you should “keep hold of any darker ones that you replace, so you can switch back once the temperature drops to keep the heat in. Keep these closed during the day too to keep your house cool in summer.”
There are times when it is a good idea to open your windows, according to experts at KGL Rutland. The windows and doors company suggested cracking them open if there is a breeze outside that can bring cooling air into the home. This will “circulate the air better, which should cool your home”, it said.
“Similarly, early mornings when the sun is just rising or late evenings when the sun has gone down also offer a chance to open windows and let fresh air in,” the company added.
“On top of that, you may also consider opening windows if the air outside is less humid than it is indoors, and keeping your blinds or curtains closed while doing so will help prevent heat gain by blocking direct sunlight.”