Summer's not over yet - how to ‘keep your cool’ at home | Tenant news

That's right, summer doesn’t officially end until Monday 22 September, and with more sunny days ahead, many of you are already using equipment of thinking of other ways to keep your home cool.

To help you out, we’re sharing some tried and tested methods make your living space more comfortable. Here’s how.

Block out the sun

One of the easiest ways to keep your home cool is to stop the sun from heating it up in the first place.

Keep curtains or blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day, especially on windows that face the sun. Blackout blinds or thermal-lined curtains are great at reducing indoor temperatures.

If you’re going to be out during the day, make sure all windows, doors, curtains, and blinds are shut before you leave.

If you’ve got windows that open at the top or have trickle vents, you can keep those slightly open while keeping the blinds down so that you get airflow without the direct sun coming in.

Maximise airflow

Open windows in different rooms to create a cross-draft, as air flows much better when it can move from one side of your home to the other.

If it’s safe to do so, leave windows open overnight to take advantage of cooler night-time temperatures. Just make sure to shut them in the morning before it starts heating up again.

Got a fan? Place it near a window facing outwards to push hot air outside, or near the floor to circulate cooler air.

Another handy trick is to place a bowl of ice or a damp, chilled cloth in front of a fan – it helps cooler air to circulate.

Make small changes

There are a few other things you can do that, although they might not seem like much, can make a difference.

Avoid using the oven or hob when temperatures peak and try eating cold dishes or microwave-friendly dinners instead.

Switch off appliances when not in use. Devices like TVs, computers and chargers can give off heat even in standby mode. Keep your lighting low and if you can, opt for LED bulbs which are cooler than traditional ones.

If you’re drying clothes indoors, try to avoid doing it during the hottest hours of the day. Damp clothes can add humidity, making your space feel more uncomfortable.

If you’re really struggling with the heat, work out which are the cooler parts of your home - like tiled kitchens or shaded corners – and sit out the hottest part of the day there, if possible.

And, when absolutely needed, don’t be afraid to use cold water to cool down your body and surroundings. Taking a cold shower, splashing water on your wrists and neck, even drinking a cup of tea, can all help to cool you down.

For more tips, check out this BBC article.

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