With warm weather on the way and highs of 23C predicted for parts of the country, homes will be heating up once more this coming weekend. But in its advice on how to keep sweltering homes cool, energy firm British Gas has set out some tips for UK households – including hanging sheets in the windows to cool them down.
It comes as the Met Office predicts 23C temperatures in parts of the UK on Saturday, followed by two more days at 22C.
The company said: “Hanging a wet sheet in front of an open window cools the warm air as it enters your home, and is a great way to cool down your home without a fan. While they’re not the most expensive appliance to run, using a fan 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.”
The Red Cross has also issued advice on how to cool down your home in hot weather. One suggestion is to create a cool room, such as a bedroom or sitting room, as it can be hard to keep an entire home cool.
Keep windows covered and shut and close doors to stop warm air entering. Try to spend as little time as possible in rooms that will be hard to keep cool like a kitchen where heat is generated by appliances and cooking devices or rooms with large windows.
The Red Cross also suggested keeping windows and curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day to keep warm air out. Wait until the cooler times of the day to open windows. When they are open, you can creating a breeze in your home by opening different windows to help air to circulate.
They also recommended turning central heating off to not generate any further heat. You can also turn off and unplug appliances and electronics when they’re not in use, as well as avoid having too many lights on.
Also consider cooking at cooler times of the day, or choose meals that don’t require the use of an oven or hob that create additional heat.
If you are struggling to keep cool in your home, public spaces like libraries, shopping centres and supermarkets may be cooler. You can also check with your local authority as they may have identified cool spaces where you can go.