How to keep your house cool: The easiest ways to cool down when it’s heating up outside
Stay on top of the scorching weather with our guide to keeping your house cool
The UK has experienced some of the hottest days on record over the past couple of months, leaving some of us desperately wondering how to keep our houses cool. If you’re lucky enough to spend the majority of your day in an air-conditioned office, you might not be feeling the heat quite as much. However, sticky hot nights with little breeze followed by relentless sunshine during daylight hours can leave even the most sun-loving among us feeling uncomfortable.
Even if it might seem impossible, there are a few things you can do to beat the heat. Keep reading and we’ll show how to keep your house cool whatever your budget.
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How to keep your house cool: Create a through breeze
Having a window open might let in a little air but it won’t give you that gentle breeze that really hits the spot. To make the most of any outside wind there might be, you’ll need to keep all your windows and doors open, allowing air to flow through the house. Even if there’s little to no breeze, creating an unobstructed pathway through your home can be really effective.
The main downside to this method is that it can cause lightweight doors to slam shut. So you’ll need to use doorstops or other heavy objects to keep them propped open.
How to keep your house cool: Switch to breathable bedding and pillows
If your bedroom’s temperature is keeping you up at night, it might not just be the room warming you up, but your bedding too. Cheaper duvets, mattress protectors and linen made from polyester can all make it hotter and harder to sleep.
For the summer months, try switching to a lightweight 4.5 tog duvet or even a fine cotton sheet. Lighter duvets will, of course, allow more heat to escape and you might also consider switching to cotton linen. Not only is it more breathable but, as a natural fabric, it also absorbs moisture.
Our favourite summer duvet is the ultra-thin Ikea Sötvedel. At £99 for a double, it’s not the cheapest duvet cover but it’s high quality and can be washed over and over again without damaging the material.
There are also plenty of pillows on the market that can help you feel cooler, even if the room isn’t helping. We think the Fine Bedding company’s luxury silk pillow is the best cooler pillow, and at £30 it’s a fair bit cheaper than most of its rivals. However, you can see our full rundown of the best pillows available right now, if you’d prefer to splash out on something even more luxurious.
How to keep your house cool: Switch off the electronics
If you think having a couple of lights or your laptop on won’t affect the temperature of a room, think again. Even the smallest of electrical items can chuck out a huge amount of heat and cause your rooms to be far warmer than necessary. To keep your house cooler, try switching off things like lamps and instead make use of any natural light inside your home.
It might seem a little excessive to live without light for the sake of a hot room but turning off your electricals really does neutralise some of the heat in your space. Plus, it’s easy to customise the amount of light you let in simply by shifting your blinds or curtains around.
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How to keep your house cool: Keep your rooms shaded
While opening up all your windows and doors can create a much-needed breeze, it doesn’t tackle the issue of bright sunshine burning through your windows, which can quickly turn your home into a sauna.
Closing your blinds and curtains actually keeps out a surprising amount of heat, especially if you’re lucky enough to have heavy-duty blackout curtains. You can even combine closing your curtains with opening doors and windows to create a through breeze. The only downside to this method is that it’ll leave you in the dark.
How to keep your house cool: Invest in a decent fan
Buying a fan seems like an obvious thing to do but many of us shy away from them because we worry they’ll keep us up at night. It’s easier than you think to find quieter fans, though. If the sound of whirring blades doesn’t send you to sleep, look for a fan with a more energy-efficient motor and clever blade design.
While a fan won’t cool down your whole house, it can give you room-specific relief and if you invest in a sturdy, low-noise one, it’ll make those sticky summer evenings far more bearable.
Our favourite low-noise fan is EcoAir Zephyr but if you’re looking for something specific, check out our best fans roundup to find something that’s right for you.
How to keep your house cool: Splash out on air conditioning
If you’ve exhausted all other methods and resources and you’re still struggling to keep yourself cool, a portable air conditioning unit might be your best bet. They certainly aren’t cheap but air conditioners get the job done. Unlike fans, which just circulate air already in the room, air conditioners actually cool the air around you.
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Most models have an automatic timer, so you can keep electricity usage down to a minimum and there are a variety of options depending on your specific needs and budget. One of the best air conditioners available right now – offering a good middle ground between price and noise-level – is the Amcor SF8000E. At £330, it might not seem affordable but it’s one of the cheaper models you can buy and is far quieter than many others on the market.
If you’ve never used a portable air conditioner before, our in-depth guide on how to buy the right air conditioning unit for your needs is packed full of handy information to help you make an informed decision.
