THE UK is basking in glorious sunshine with temperatures set to tip over 30 degrees Celsius in parts.
The Met Office reckons we’re “likely” to be heading into a heatwave over the next few days.
AlamyAn insulation expert has revealed nine quick and easy tricks to keep your home cool[/caption]A heatwave in the UK is declared when a location experiences at least three days in a row where temperatures meet or exceed a set heatwave temperature threshold.
That threshold is 25°C for the north and west of the UK, and 28°C for Greater London and the Home Counties.
But while many of us will be loving the heat, others might find it all getting a bit too much and looking for ways to keep cool at home.
Luckily, there are a number of cheap and free tricks you can use to stop temperatures rising.
Here are some low-cost hacks from Checkatrade insulation expert Lee West, from Red Squirrel Insulation.
Close blinds and curtains
Closing curtains is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent your home from heating up.
This will stop sunlight streaming through into your property and warming up the inside.
The best time to do it, according to Lee, is during the hottest parts of the day – between 10am and 4pm.
If you’ve got the budget, thermal blinds can work even more effectively to prevent heat build up in your home.
Lighter colours work best to reflect any sunlight trying to get into your property.
You can buy them from a host of different retailers including The Range and John Lewis, with prices starting from £31.37.
Use tin foil on windows
Tin foil is effective at reflecting sunlight when placed on the inside or outside of any windows.
This, in turn, prevents your home from absorbing too much heat and warming it up.
It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing, but is a cheap and temporary solution for short and intense heatwaves.
You can buy tin foil from all the major supermarkets including Aldi which sells 20metre rolls for 99p.
Optimise ceiling fan direction
Ceiling fans, you might not realise, don’t actually cool the air but create a “wind chill” effect that makes you feel cooler by accelerating the evaporation of sweat from your skin.
So, in hot weather, you want to make sure the ceiling fan blades are rotating counter-clockwise.
This will push the air straight down, creating a cooling breeze, rather than dragging warmer air upwards.
Strategic window opening (night time ventilation)
Increasing ventilation throughout your home will help to keep it cool, particularly overnight.
During the evening, open windows on opposite sides of your property to create a cross-breeze.
This so-called “night-flush ventilation” allows cooler air to circulate around your home and trapped heat inside to escape.
Create a DIY “ice fan”
Putting a container or bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan sees the air passing over it cool, creating a mist of chilled air.
This hack isn’t the most effective for larger rooms, but can work in smaller rooms like your bedroom.
Minimise the use of heat-generating appliances
It might be unavoidable, but wherever possible minimise the use of appliances like ovens, dishwasher and washing machines during the hotter parts of the day as they pump out extra heat.
Meanwhile, opt for outdoor grilling, preparing cold meals, line-drying laundry, and switching to energy-efficient LED light bulbs, which produce far less heat.
Hang damp sheets
This weird but wonderful trick is a quick and cheap way to keep a room cool over the summer months.
As water evaporates from the sheets, heat is drawn from the surrounding air, creating a cooling effect.
Try placing damp sheets or towels in front of open windows, or in the path of a fan.
Seal gaps and cracks
Gaps around windows and doors allow hot outdoor air to seep into your home.
To stop this happening, use weather stripping, caulk, or even a rolled up towel to block any draughts.
This helps keep the cooler air you’ve worked to trap inside.
Stay low
Hot air rises, meaning the lower you physically stay in a room the cooler you’ll be.
If you have multiple levels in your home, consider spending more time on lower floors.
Placing your mattress directly on the floor can sometimes make for a cooler nights sleep too.
Staying safe in the sun
While warmer weather can be fun, it is important to stay safe and avoid over heating - here are some other top tips to stay safe in the sun
Wear clothes and sunglasses that provide sun protection
The NHS website recommends wearing a hat that that shades the face, neck and ears and breathable fabrics that do not let the sunlight through.
Drink water
Staying hydrated in the warmer weather is also important. Be sure to carry a water bottle with you if you are travelling and taking sips throughout the day.
Use suncream
According to the NHS webiste, adults should aim to apply around 6 to 8 teaspoons of sunscreen if you’re covering your entire body.
If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is not as effective
If you’re worried you might not be applying enough SPF30, you could use a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
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