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When temperatures soar, keeping your home comfortable can become a daily challenge. While air conditioning is the obvious solution, many homes—particularly in the UK—don’t have it. Fortunately, there are plenty of practical and affordable ways to reduce indoor temperatures and make your home a more pleasant place to be during a heatwave.
Here’s how to keep your house cool when the weather turns hot.
Keep Curtains and Blinds Closed
One of the simplest and most effective ways to stop your home overheating is to block direct sunlight from entering through your windows.
South-facing and west-facing windows receive the most intense sunlight during the day, making rooms much warmer.
To reduce heat:
- Close curtains before the sun reaches the windows.
- Use blackout curtains or thermal blinds if possible.
- Keep blinds angled upwards to reflect sunlight.
- Consider reflective window film for additional protection.
Blocking the sun before it enters your home is far more effective than trying to cool the room afterwards.
Open Windows at the Right Time
Opening every window during the hottest part of the day can actually make your house warmer.
Instead:
- Keep windows closed during the afternoon when outdoor temperatures peak.
- Open windows early in the morning.
- Open them again in the evening and overnight when temperatures begin to fall.
- Create cross ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of your home.
This allows cooler air to circulate naturally.
Create a Natural Breeze
If there’s little wind outside, you can encourage airflow yourself.
Try opening:
- Windows upstairs and downstairs.
- Internal doors throughout the house.
- Loft windows (if safe) to allow hot air to escape.
Warm air naturally rises, so allowing it to escape through higher windows helps draw cooler air into the home.
Use Fans More Effectively
Fans don’t lower the room temperature, but they help your body cool through increased evaporation of sweat.
To improve their effectiveness:
- Position a bowl of ice or frozen water bottles in front of the fan.
- Aim the airflow where people are sitting rather than into empty space.
- Run ceiling fans anti-clockwise during summer so they push cool air downwards.
At night, place a fan near an open window to draw cooler outdoor air inside.
Reduce Heat from Appliances
Many everyday appliances generate surprising amounts of heat.
During very hot weather:
- Avoid using the oven where possible.
- Cook outdoors on a barbecue if appropriate.
- Use a microwave, slow cooker or air fryer instead.
- Switch off computers, televisions and games consoles when not in use.
- Turn lights off in unused rooms.
Replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with LED lighting also reduces unnecessary heat.
Keep Bedrooms Cool
Sleeping during a heatwave can be difficult, but a few simple changes can make a big difference.
Consider:
- Using lightweight cotton bedding.
- Choosing breathable natural fabrics.
- Closing bedroom curtains throughout the day.
- Opening windows safely overnight.
- Placing a fan near the bed.
- Taking a cool shower before going to sleep.
Some people also find it helpful to chill pillowcases for a short time before bedtime.
Insulate Your Home
Good insulation isn’t just for winter.
Modern insulation helps slow the transfer of heat into your home during summer as well.
Effective insulation includes:
- Loft insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Double or triple glazing
- Insulated external doors
A well-insulated home tends to remain cooler for longer.
Shade the Outside of Your Home
Stopping sunlight reaching your walls and windows is one of the most effective cooling methods.
Options include:
- Retractable awnings
- Pergolas
- Outdoor blinds
- Shade sails
- Trees and climbing plants
External shading prevents solar heat from entering the building in the first place.
Avoid Adding Moisture Indoors
Activities such as:
- Long hot showers
- Drying clothes indoors
- Boiling large pans of water
all increase humidity, making your home feel hotter than it actually is.
Whenever possible, dry washing outside and use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
Keep Loft Spaces Ventilated
Lofts can easily exceed 40°C (104°F) during a heatwave, and that trapped heat radiates into the rooms below.
Ensure:
- Roof vents are clear.
- Loft insulation is correctly installed.
- Loft hatches remain closed during the day to prevent heat entering the living space.
Consider Portable Air Conditioning
If heatwaves are becoming more frequent where you live, a portable air conditioner may be a worthwhile investment.
Modern units can quickly cool bedrooms or home offices, although they work best in enclosed spaces with windows properly sealed around the exhaust hose.
Running them only during the hottest periods helps keep electricity costs manageable.
Stay Cool Outside Too
Your home’s exterior can influence indoor temperatures.
Watering patios and paved areas during the evening can help reduce stored heat overnight. Planting trees, shrubs and climbing plants around your property also creates natural shade that benefits your home year after year.
Light-coloured exterior paint and roofing materials can reflect more sunlight than darker surfaces, helping to reduce heat absorption.
Don’t Forget About Hydration
Keeping your home cool is only part of staying comfortable during a heatwave.
Remember to:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine, which may contribute to dehydration.
- Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing.
- Avoid strenuous household chores during the hottest hours, typically between 11am and 3pm.
If you have elderly relatives, young children or vulnerable neighbours, check in on them regularly during periods of extreme heat.
Heatwaves are becoming more common, making it increasingly important to know how to keep your home cool without relying solely on air conditioning. By blocking sunlight, improving ventilation, reducing indoor heat sources and making a few simple lifestyle changes, you can significantly improve comfort while keeping energy bills under control.
Many of these tips cost little or nothing to implement, yet together they can lower indoor temperatures by several degrees. Planning ahead before the next spell of hot weather arrives will ensure your home remains a cool and comfortable refuge, even during the hottest days of summer.
