Hot nights loom—put a cold bowl on windowsills

Temperatures across the UK have been climbing sharply again, with the heat expected to persist from Monday, as the Met Office forecasts highs of 34C or above in certain parts of the country. An amber extreme heat warning will come into effect across much of southern England and south-eastern Wales from 1am on Monday until 23.59pm on Tuesday, with the Met Office cautioning that the scorching conditions could result in serious health impacts, travel disruption and potential power outages. Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Greg

Wolverson said: “Temperatures will peak around the mid-30s Celsius on Monday and Tuesday. The humidity will also mean this feels close, warmer and more uncomfortable for many. Tropical nights – where the temperature doesn’t drop below 20C are also likely for some.” With the warm and humid conditions forecast to stretch into next week, many households face the prospect of yet more restless, sweltering nights as they struggle to keep their homes cool. The vast majority of properties in the UK are built to retain

heat, and, for those without the luxury of air conditioning, bringing room temperatures down swiftly is rarely as straightforward as it sounds. However, there is a remarkably simple, cost-effective remedy to tackle this issue, requiring nothing more than a common kitchen item placed on your windowsill: a bowl filled with cold water, reports the Express . Energy experts suggest that positioning a bowl of cold water on windowsills or worktops, near an open window during warm weather , is a surprisingly efficient and inexpensive method

of reducing the temperature inside a room. This works because cold water absorbs heat from the surrounding air and converts it into vapour, thereby lowering the overall temperature. When positioned in front of an open window, the incoming breeze helps to circulate this cooled air throughout your home. LEAP Energy Advice said: “Although it may seem peculiar, placing bowls of water around the house can aid in cooling the hot air. This simple technique can be surprisingly effective.” For those wanting to accelerate the cooling

process, filling bowls with ice cubes rather than cold water and placing them in front of a fan can prove even more effective. LEAP added: “If you need to cool down quickly, try placing a bowl of ice and cold water in front of your fan’s blades. This will cause the air blowing from the fan to pass over the icy water, creating a refreshing sensation on your skin. It’s like having a homemade, DIY air-conditioner!”. While combining a fan with the bowl of water

isn’t strictly necessary — as the water alone can help lower the air temperature — you’ll achieve far better results by getting that breeze circulating as well. Naturally, running a fan will have some effect on your energy bills, though it costs a fraction of what an air conditioning unit would — which can set you back up to 40 times more — making the prospect of a pleasantly cool room arguably well worth it. The advice is endorsed by major energy provider British Gas

as an affordable method of keeping both your home and yourself cool when the mercury rises. British Gas said: “While fans aren’t the most expensive appliance to run, using one is still likely to impact your fuel bills – but there are some things you can do to get the most out of the energy you’re paying for. “To really cool down a room with a fan, place a deep dish of ice in the front of it to whip up the water mist and

chill the breeze. You can also point a box fan out of an open window in the evenings – this pushes the hot air out instead of just blowing it around the room.”

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