How to Keep Your New Build Home Cool in a Heatwave, According to a Property Expert

Property experts at Construction Megastore have shared how to keep your new build home cool during the summer as the country faces its third heatwave this week. 

Around 221,070 new build homes were created in the UK in 2023/24. While they are great for reducing heat loss in winter, it can cause heat to build up uncomfortably during summer. In fact, 80% of UK homes overheat in the summer, with temperatures reaching the hottest on record globally, according to a new study. 

Property expert Robert Quinton at Construction Megastore Building Materials has shared low-cost ways to keep new build homes cool and comfortable.

1. Keep Blinds, Curtains and Windows Closed: “Close windows and doors during the hottest part of the day and keep blinds or curtains drawn to prevent heat from entering your home. Thermal or blackout curtains are particularly effective at blocking out the sun, while light-coloured or reflective blinds can help reflect it. In the evenings or early mornings, when temperatures drop, open windows to let in cooler air. Smart home systems can also help by automating window and blind settings based on temperature and time of day.”
2. Create a Cross Breeze Through the Home: “Cross ventilation is a simple but effective way to cool your home. Open windows on opposite sides of the house – or a window and a door if only one side has windows – to create a natural flow of air. This helps push warm, stale air out. Sash windows and top-hung styles are ideal for this. For best results, open the lower part of the window facing the breeze and the top half of the one opposite to expel warm air rising to ceiling level.”
3. Use a Fan Smartly: “Fans work best when they’re not obstructed by furniture, and you’ll get the most from them if you angle them upwards to move the cooler air that settles at floor level. You can create a greater cooling effect by placing a bowl of ice or cold water in front of the fan. The air passing over the ice cools slightly as it circulates around the room.”
4. Replace Your Loft Insulation: “Roofs absorb a lot of heat in the summer, especially if they’re dark in colour, and without proper insulation, it radiates into the rest of the house. Insulating your loft is a relatively easy DIY job. Make sure you’re laying enough insulation, ideally around 250 to 270mm thick, across the space evenly. It’ll help keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter too.”
5. Cool Down Your Bed and Soft Furnishing: “Trying to sleep in a hot room can be miserable. One easy hack is to pop your sheets into the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes before bed, and they’ll feel refreshingly cool when you climb in. Opt for breathable bedding made from cotton or linen, as they’re lighter and cooler than synthetic alternatives.”
6. Use Indoor Plants to Regulate Humidity: “It might be surprising, but houseplants can play a role in keeping your home cool. Ficus benjamina and Ficus Elastica help keep the air cool and replenish moisture in the air, helping reduce the indoor temperature and humidity. Chinese Evergreen have a high transpiration rate to reduce humidity and tropical palm plants can help release oxygen.”
7. Turn Off Appliances: “Any switched-on appliance will inevitably begin generating heat. But switching off televisions, consoles, or even phone chargers will help your home feel a little cooler. At night, your lightbulbs can also help keep your home warmer than you would like. Light bulbs radiate heat, which isn’t particularly helpful during a heatwave, so switch out any incandescent bulb with a more energy-efficient one that will produce less excess heat.”