Improve airflow and keep your home cool this summer | Tenant news

Summer isn’t over yet – it officially runs until Monday 22 September – and with plenty of warm days still ahead, many households are looking for simple ways to keep their homes cooler.

To help, we’re sharing some tried and tested tips to make your living space more comfortable.

Block the sunlight

One of the most effective ways to keep your home cool is to prevent heat from building up indoors in the first place.

Keep curtains or blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day, particularly on windows that face direct sunlight. Blackout blinds or thermal-lined curtains can make a noticeable difference to indoor temperatures. Even a dark sheet pinned up at a sunny window can help prevent heat build-up.

If you’re out during the day, close all windows, doors, curtains and blinds before you leave to keep heat out.

Where possible, you can still allow for some ventilation by slightly opening top-opening windows or trickle vents while keeping blinds down, helping air circulate without letting direct sunlight in.

Boost natural ventilation

Good airflow can help make a home feel much cooler.

Try opening windows in different rooms to create a cross-breeze, allowing air to move through your home more effectively.

If it’s safe, open windows overnight to take advantage of cooler temperatures, then close them again in the morning before the heat builds.

Fans can also help. Positioning a fan near a window facing outwards can help push warm air outside, while placing it lower to the ground can help circulate cooler air.

A simple extra trick is to place a bowl of ice or a damp, chilled cloth in front of a fan to help cool the air it circulates.

Make small changes

There are also a few everyday habits you can do that, although they might not seem like much, can help reduce indoor heat.

Try to avoid using the oven or hob during the hottest parts of the day, opting instead for cold meals or microwave-friendly dishes where possible.

Switch off appliances when they’re not in use, as devices such as TVs, computers and chargers can generate heat even on standby. Keeping lighting low can also help, and LED bulbs are generally cooler than traditional ones.

If you’re drying clothes indoors, avoid doing so during peak heat, as the added moisture can make rooms feel warmer and more humid.

When temperatures peak, it can help to spend time in naturally cooler parts of your home, such as rooms with tiled floors, shaded rooms or ground-floor spaces.

If needed, cooling your body directly can also help – for example, with a cold shower, splashing water on your wrists or neck, or drinking something cool.

For more tips, see the BBC’s advice on staying cool during hot weather.

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