With the first yellow heat-health warning in four years issued this week and humidity levels set to soar, many Brits are on the hunt for quick, easy ways to keep their homes cool.
And with most UK homes built to trap heat rather than keep it out, experts at premium window and door designer, The Residence Collection, have revealed their top four tips to help you—and your home—stay cool and comfortable this summer.
1. Keep curtains and blinds closed
On sunny days you probably can’t wait to open your blinds and curtains to let in the natural light you have been craving. However, keeping your blinds and curtains closed during the day will act as a barricade to the unwanted heat entering your home.
But, if you really can’t wait to let that sunlight ooze in, opt to close your blinds and curtains between 11am and 3pm, when it’s the hottest part of the day. When the temperature dips during the evening, open them to enjoy the last of the sunlight.
2. Use your trickle vents
Trickle vents are known to be an excellent addition to combating condensation and prevent dampness during the winter months, but they have ideal ventilation qualities for the warmer seasons too.
So, how do trickle vents work? Their purpose is to allow air to trickle into your home to increase ventilation, without making your home too hot, too cold or compromise security. By leaving your trickle vents open during the summer, air can travel freely throughout the home without letting in the hot and humid air as well as keeping out those pesky flying insects.
3. Keep your windows closed
During a hot summer’s day, you might be tempted to throw open your windows to let your home bask in the sun that you have been waiting for all year. By opening your windows during a sunny day, particularly at the hottest times of the day, the temperature can infiltrate your home where it can become humid and stifling when you close the windows.
Like your blinds and curtains, keep them closed during the day to keep your home as cool as possible, and enjoy the fresher evening air once the sun starts to set.
4. Add to your windowsill greenery
Did you know that choosing the right plants can also keep your home cool? Certain popular indoor plants use transpiration which improves the humidity in the air. The plant’s transpiration increases the water vapour in its surroundings, ultimately cooling itself and your home too. If you’re on the hunt for an environmentally friendly cooling method, opt to add peace lilies and rubber plants to your home.
Jo Trotman, Marketing Manager at The Residence Collection, comments: “With the hot weather upon us, many people are searching for ways to cool and lower the humidity of their homes, without paying the price tag for running a fan or air conditioner during the cost of living crisis.
“Many aren’t aware that by changing the summer habits around their windows they can have a much more comfortable season. With the right window dressings and ventilation through trickle vents, people can have an enjoyable summer outdoors with a cooling sanctuary at home during the day and night. “