With warmer weather on the way, Brits have been urged to close their windows for one important reason. Temperatures have been up and down over the past few weeks but summery weather is on the way, with forecasters’ maps showing up to 25C by June 12.
While most warmer temperatures will be seen in the south of England, other parts of the UK will also see a rise. With this in mind, keeping your windows closed can help ensure your home doesn’t feel too warm.
Weather maps from WXCHARTS show that on June 12, temperatures will reach between 21C and 25C in London and the east of England.
In the Midlands, around 23C will be seen, and in the north, temperatures will sit between 12C and 15C.
As for Wales, weather will vary from 12C to 19C and in Scotland from 11C to 15C.
On June 13, warm conditions will continue with a variation of 13C to 22C across the UK.
With the UK basking under an intense May sun, our homes are getting hotter, a challenge to the high insulation meant for our typically cold British winters.
This means households across the country are advised to adopt measures to keep their indoor spaces cool during these sunny periods.
Energy experts are offering top tips on how to cool our houses during a scorcher without wasting money.
OVO Energy warns against the common reaction of swinging open the windows when the heat rises, stating: “Tempting as it is to fling open the windows at the first sign of summer, it’s not actually the best idea. To keep your house cool, you need to keep the hot air out.”
The energy provider recommends keeping your windows tightly closed.
They further added: “This means keeping windows closed during the day – particularly south-facing windows.
“Keep curtains, blinds and windows shut when the sun is shining directly on them, and when you’re out. Try opening windows on the most shaded side of your home, to avoid sunlight and hot air getting in.”
Andy Kerr from BOXT pointed out that British homes often work against us in a heatwave because they’re built to retain warmth, not repel it.
Common wisdom might suggest cranking up fans or throwing windows open to alleviate the swelter, but Andy suggests that these methods may fall short of expectations.
He said: “Getting rid of unwanted heat in your home can be difficult in the summer months, especially when most UK properties are built to retain heat.
“While grabbing a fan or opening up all your windows are often mentioned as effective ways to cool your home, these methods may not result in the desired results.
“To help homeowners keep cool as the warmer months approach, we have revealed which common home cooling hacks are myths and why they don’t work so you can avoid them this summer. When temperatures are particularly warm, opening up all your windows will let more hot air into your home, heating up your home and making you feel warmer.
“Instead of opening all your windows, it is much better to strategically open windows to create cross breezes throughout the day and open your windows during the night to let cooler air in.”