Several parts of the UK has officially entered heatwave territory , and while this is welcome news for those heading to the beach, it’s a different story for those staying indoors. The majority of British homes simply aren’t designed for such temperatures, making it challenging to keep cool. This is particularly problematic during the night, with countless people lying awake for hours seeking relief as they attempt to drift off. With temperatures continuing to climb, I decided to seek some advice from a number of
experts on how to remain cool and comfortable at home. Interestingly, they shared a single common tip — which is, thankfully, completely effortless and costs nothing. Waking up on a glorious morning with sunshine already streaming through the curtains is an instant mood-lifter. However, experts advise resisting every temptation to fling them open, as keeping curtains drawn while the sun is at its strongest is one of the most effective methods of maintaining a cooler home. Martin Garbutt, head of technical governance at home services
platform Ding , explained: “True sunny days are relatively rare in the UK, so it’s completely natural that we want to open our curtains to make the most of the lovely weather . However, this can be counterintuitive, as sunlight and heat can pass through the windows, warming up a room. Glass can also trap and even magnify this heat, making your room feel hotter. “To help keep a room cool, you should keep curtains shut during the hottest parts of the day, to block
out the direct sunlight and reduce heat build-up. If your curtains are thin and ineffective for blocking out the sunlight, you can drape thick materials like bed covers over the windows as an easy alternative.” This was echoed by Meaco co-founder Chris Michael who stated: “Direct sunlight through windows quickly heats up your home. Keep blinds, curtains and windows closed during the hottest part of the day, especially those facing south. Once the temperature drops in the evening, open them to let cooler air in.”
Brits need to be clever about how they open their windows when temperatures allow. Martyn Bridges, Director of External Affairs at Worcester Bosch , suggests there’s a straightforward method to enhance airflow and cool your property as you prepare for bedtime. He said: “Once the sun has gone down, and if it is safe and secure to do so, opening windows at opposite ends of the house can help create a thorough draught. This encourages warmer air to move out of the property while allowing
cooler evening air to circulate through the home, making it a practical, budget-friendly way to cool the space after a hot day.” When faced with a stiflingly warm evening without even a hint of breeze, this is when a fan really comes in handy. Noel Fok, CEO and co-founder of EcoAir , explains that there’s a straightforward method to enhance its cooling effect, and all you need is a bowl of iced water. He explained: “On days when the outside breeze is non-existent, a good
quality, low energy, quiet, electric fan is the most efficient way to keep air moving indoors to provide relief from the heat. Placing a bowl of icy water in front of a fan can help cool the air as it circulates. For smaller rooms or more modern interiors, a space-saving tower fan makes a stylish statement and is easy to store when the weather inevitably turns.” However, staying cool during a heatwave isn’t solely about actions you should take – it’s equally about what to
steer clear of. Jamie Heath, heating expert at Build & Plumb , who also recommended the drawn curtain technique, notes that the household appliances you operate can significantly influence how hot your property feels. He explained: “To avoid the property overheating during the day, I suggest avoiding the use of any high-heat appliances. Instead, cooking outdoors, using air fryers or preparing cold meals can help reduce excess heat buildup, while utilising the hot weather to dry your clothes outdoors can avoid any unnecessary use of
the tumble dryer.” Lastly, while keeping the home itself cool is important, regulating your own core body temperature is equally vital. Ruth MacEachern, a ventilation expert at envirovent , suggests reaching for a hot water bottle, but rather than filling it with hot water, she advises filling it with cold water and popping it in the freezer before placing it in your bed to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep. She added: “Quick tricks like placing towels in the freezer and then applying them to pulse
points can provide quick relief to the heat and taking lukewarm showers can similarly help.”
heatwave, UK weather, keeping cool at home, curtains, blinds, open windows, fans, iced water bowl, Worcester Bosch, EcoAir, envirovent, Ding, Meaco, Build & Plumb
So just keep curtains shut? Revolutionary.
I tried this once and my room still felt like an oven, so idk. But I guess if the sun is blasting through, yeah don’t open them. Also seems like you’d miss the nice morning light.
Wait, doesn’t shutting curtains trap heat inside though? Like if it’s already warm and you block the window, where’s the heat even go. I feel like people always say opposite things about this. Maybe they mean specifically midday? Either way sounds kinda common sense.
Heatwave advice in the UK and it’s literally curtains? My grandma would be like “close them!” and that’s it. But honestly thick covers over windows sounds like something you do when your power goes out, not for a heatwave. I’ll still probably fling them open the second the sun comes out though, because I can’t help myself.