How to Keep Your House Cool in Summer 

We’ve seen an increase in extreme temperatures here in the UK, and 2022 was England’s joint warmest summer on record. It was also the driest since 1976.

These warm summer seasons, where 40°C becomes a regular sight on a thermometer, are expected to become a regular occurrence. The reason for this is global warming. In fact, scientists predict that there’s a 66% chance of the world passing the 1.5°C global warming threshold between now and 2027.

We’re about to enter summer 2023 and there’s a chance that we could experience hot weather again. To manage the rising temperatures at home, it’s worth thinking about how to keep things cool now.

Why consider keeping cool?

There are several reasons why it’s worth taking steps now to keep your home comfortable later. First, we’ve been here before. If you found it particularly difficult to manage the heat in your home last summer, it’s worth taking the steps to prepare before everyone’s rushing to buy the essentials again.

Also, if you work from home, there’s an additional need to stay comfortable during the day when the sun is at its strongest. Preparing now means you’re more likely to remain focused and able to work through the warmest days.

Additionally, if you plan ahead now, you’ll know what to do in the coming summers when it’s likely that we’ll see those higher temperatures return again and again.

What are the best ways to keep cool?

There are some ways to cool down when things are hotting up outside. Not all of these will mean you have to buy anything new.

However, if you do invest in things to keep cool, it’s worth establishing a budget, especially for major purchases. You might want to think about buying big ticket purchases using your savings, or it may be that you buy on a credit card. There are also ways you can save up, which will also boost your credit score in the long run. As long as you can keep up with any payments, you will find that these could be useful additions to your home.

Get an air conditioning unit

You might not have given in and bought air conditioning last year. After all Britain isn’t known for being the hottest of places usually, which is why we have carpets rather than the tiles you see in homes across Spain, for example.

Install a small air conditioning unit now before the temperatures soar. You can select one that suits your budget, but it’s definitely an investment if these hot summers become typical.

Keep your blinds closed

We don’t always see a lot of sun and it can be tempting to let the light in, but keeping blinds and curtains drawn during the day will keep your home cool.

Check your ceiling fans

If you have a ceiling fan, make sure it’s blowing the right way. If you don’t have a fan like this, you might decide to buy one. Alternatively, standing fans placed close to a bowl of ice water can help to blow the chilled air around.

Open your home in the evening

Once the sun sets and the temperatures come down, open windows and doors to let the cooler air flow through.

How to keep yourself cool at home

As well as cooling your home down, you’ll need to cool yourself down too.

Drink lots of water

Drink water throughout the day. This will keep you hydrated.

Dress appropriately

Dress for the weather. You don’t need layers and, even if you have a video call to make for work, you can still wear something light on top and shorts where the camera isn’t focused.

Take breaks

Taking regular breaks is important. It can be difficult to concentrate when you’re too warm or feeling uncomfortable, so stop whatever you’re doing, whether that’s work or household jobs and have five minutes to cool down.