How to deal with the heat if you’re in the UK

How Britain can do better in terms of staying cool at home, instead of complaining every year

Around the world, temperatures are getting higher. And this includes Britain. The warm weather can be unbearable to many Brits, where temperatures are now nearly reaching 30C quite regularly. One factor is how British houses are traditionally built to retain warmth for winter, resulting in your home becoming your personalised sauna. So how can you deal with the heat if you’re in the UK, in a house that isn’t built for heatwaves?!

So, it’s understandably challenging to keep your house cool. Not to mention humidity is higher compared to other European countries, making us feel sick and hot.

That’s why, instead of complaining every year, let’s embrace the heat as we dive into the best ways to stay cool in your home and stop the summer suffering.

Encouraging airflow in the house

Using an electric fan
Compared to other parts of the world, air conditioning is practically non-existent in most UK homes, and not a luxury that the average UK citizen can afford. The most common way to keep your house cool is by using an electric fan. Using one or more throughout your home can be a great way to keep the cool air in.

To make a DIY air conditioner, you can place ice cubes in front of your electric fan. This will help the air that’s blowing in your direction feel a lot cooler.

Opening the windows
Keeping your windows open is another method for cooling your house down while letting the airflow.

For a strategic approach, most people will open their windows from opposite ends of the house to form a cross-ventilation. The recommended time to do this is when the air is cooler, such as early morning and late evening.

Covering the windows to stop the heat

Drawing the curtains
During the day, keeping your curtains closed is a method of cooling your home. It helps block the sunlight before hitting the window, especially on the sun-facing side.

Opting for thermal or blackout curtains is a way to keep the heat out during the warmer months.

Closing the blinds
Blinds can help reduce external heat from entering your home. External blinds, bed sheets, cloths, or any form of window blinds that will block the sun, will help the reduction of the sun rays glaring into your windows while preventing the hot air from sneaking into your home during the hottest times of the day.

Applying a window fly screen
For those who want to keep their windows open, but are a bug hater, then perhaps you should invest in a window fly screen. This method allows you to open your window for cool air while stopping the bugs from trespassing into your home.

Using window films
If you don’t want to get rid of your window view, applying a reflective or tinted film can help reduce the heat while preserving your view.

Adjustments and investments for your home.

Owning a dehumidifiers
Lowering the humidity can help make the air feel cooler. When there is high humidity, it produces moisture in the air which creates a musty smell and can eventually lead to Mold. This can be dangerous and can cause respiratory conditions. By using a dehumidifier, it can reduce the level of humidity in your home together with cooling it down.

Coating your roof with solar reflective paint
To stop heat absorption in your home, you can apply a solar reflective paint on top of your roof.

The reflective paint will bounce the solar heat off your roof, helping to reduce your roof’s temperature and decrease the transfer of heat into your house.

Installing a ceiling fan
Ceiling fans can be an effective way to ventilate your room. It will allow the air to flow around the room, apartment or house and distribute a breeze around you.

Keeping cool at night

Sleeping in cotton fabric
When the night turns warm, you may want to try sleeping in loose and breathable PJs. By sleeping in cotton fabric, it helps absorb your sweat, keeping your body cool.

It’s also a good idea to reduce your bedding during the hot weather when you sleep. For those who like the protection of a duvet, perhaps swap it for a thin cotton sheet. This will cool you down while giving you duvet protection benefits.

Showering in cool water
Taking a nice cool or tepid shower before jumping into your bed may be an ideal method of cooling your body down.

Cooler showers have health benefits such as helping muscle soreness and increasing circulation and can be an effective way for a better night’s sleep. Where it lowers your body temperature, it will provide you with a refreshing feeling during a warm night.

Putting ice in a hot water bottle
It may sound odd, but filling your hot water bottle with ice can help you cool down. Before you go to bed, try placing it under your sheets for a refreshingly cool sleep.

Cooling your skincare

Cooling down your face masks
Although placing your face, sheet and eye masks in the fridge will help de-puff your face for the morning or evening, it’s also a relieving way to cool your face down while soothing your skin.

Placing your face rollers in the fridge
If using face rollers is part of your skincare routine, then this may be of interest. Any face roller that you may own, try keeping it in the fridge. This will be a great way to cool your skin down.

Although using a cooler face roller will reduce puffiness and pores, it also provides you with a refreshing sensation, as you gently massage the roller across your face.

Cooler eats and drinks for summer

Making cool foods
One fun method of cooling down in your home this summer is making cold meals and snacks

Read more: Try this Barbados custard ice cream recipe

Making cooler foods will not only help to relieve your body but also provide a delicious summer activity.

Read more: try growing your own refreshing salad at home

Keeping hydrated

Using water jugs
As you probably already know, but worth mentioning again, that it’s important to stay hydrated during a heatwave or any warm weather. But keeping your water cool at home is another story.

One method is keeping a filtered jug in the fridge. This helps you to have cool water when you need to.

Having a thermal water bottle nearby
Drinking from a thermal water bottle is a great way to keep cold water handy and stay hydrated when needed.