With temperatures slated to hit a whopping 25C in parts of the UK today, an expert has shared his top tips for keeping your house nice and cool, without having to fork out on expensive AC units
Last week we were all shivering from the cold – and now everyone is sweltering through a mini heatwave.
As parts of the UK will reach a scorching 25C today, it all of a sudden feels like the perpetual winter of rain and snow is finally behind us. But whilst our heating can be turned off for a few months, saving on our energy bills, many Brits now face a new struggle: keeping the house cool.
Luckily, an expert has shared a little-known hack to keep your room nice and cool when the sun is blaring outside – and it won’t cost you a penny.
Ashley Hainsworth of Bed Kingdom recommends keeping your windows open overnight during the hotter months to let fresh air flow into the house. “Be cautious of any additional noise issues or security concerns that this might result in, and make sure you employ any necessary preventative measures to deal with potential allergens and insects coming inside,” the expert added.
Hainsworth advises taking antihistamines if you’re struggling with hayfever and turning your bedroom lights off when the windows are open to avoid creepy crawlies finding their way in. “If it’s very hot outside, shutting windows altogether may be a better option as it will be cooler indoors,” the pro added. “If you decide to keep your windows shut, try opening doors intermittently so that the room is as well-ventilated as possible and doesn’t become stuffy.”
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If you or the little ones are still struggling to sleep during the balmy weather, it might be worth investing in lightweight bedding. Hainsworth brands duvets with a tog rating between four and eight as ‘optimum’ during the summer months – and says you can always ditch the bedding altogether for a single sheet or blanket.
“Choose bedding and blankets made from natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen, as these are breathable and keep you cooler while sleeping,” he said. “They also tend to be comfortable, hypoallergenic, and sustainable too, so they’re good investments all around.”
Other methods to beat off the heat include shutting your curtains and blinds during hot periods of the day, sleeping in light, natural fabrics rather than ‘tight, synthetic’ clothing, and placing a frozen water bottle or ice packs on a tray in front of your fan to cool down the air as it passes over.
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