10 tips to keep your home cool in summer

10 tips to keep your home cool in summer

3rd July 2018 33 By Rachael Stray

Summer has most definitely arrived so it thought I’d share some top tips to keep your home cool as I know many people are struggling as the temperatures rise.

I’m chuffed that the sun has his hat on and if you read my 5 things I’m looking forward to this summer post you’ll know just how excited I am!

But here in the UK not many of us are lucky enough to have the gift of air conditioning so I’m sharing the other ways you can cool your home down without an AC so you can be rested and get out and about to make the most of the sunshine!

Here’s 10 tips to keep your home cool in the summer

cotton sheets

Cotton sheets

Satin and silk sheets might look more luxurious but when the temperature rises it’s best to opt for the cooler linen and cotton sheets. Light-coloured bed linen made of light fabrics (such as Egyptian cotton for example) are breathable so much better to sleep in.

For an extra cool boost if you have space pop your sheets and pillow cases in a plastic bag in the freezer for a few minutes before you go to bed. The trick won’t last all night but it will give you a breather so you can actually get to sleep.

hot-water-bottle-1739936_960_720

Your hot water bottle isn’t just for winter

If you don’t already own on invest in a hot water bottle! In the winter they are fab at keeping you toasty but in the summer fill it with cold water instead and pop it in the freezer – you’ll have your own ice pack which you can use to cool yourself or your bed down.

fan

Use your fan wisely

Fans are great in the mild heat, but when it’s cranked up they just blow hot air around. Instead you should point your fan outside, slightly towards the windows; it will push out the hot air.

If you have more than one fan put one by the window and another further inside the room so they both push the cooler air around the room.

You can create your own DIY aircon system by using a roasting pan, or Tupperware box and fill it with ice and put it in front of a fan. When the ice melts the breeze from the fan picks up the cool air coming from the ice’s surface, creating a nice cool mist.

sleep downstairs

Remember heat rises

Hot air rises so if you can sleep in a room on the ground floor this will make you feel cooler. If you’re in a one-storey flat you can move your mattress to the ground to make life easier.

shower

Don’t get steamy

After a hot day you just want a shower to refresh and feel clean again. When it’s still warm on an evening though it’s best to have a cooler shower – make sure the water is tepid rather than warm or hot.

Steam hangs about and makes a room that much hotter so make sure you turn on the extractor fan (if you have one) and open up the window to let the steam evaporate. Keep your bathroom door closed to stop the steam going into other rooms.

For more tips on condensation and ventilation check out my 10 tips to tackle condensation post.

light tableSwitch off the lights

Light bulbs, even environmentally friendly ones give off heat, so switch them off. With the sun shining for longer now, keeping the lights off not only saves on your energy bill, but cuts down on the extra heat too.

If you do want light without having blinds or curtains open use fairy lights instead which is what we’re doing in our bedroom at night. We still get some light but without the heat!

iphone chargeNo electronic devices

The same applies here as the lights. Unplug your phone and other electronic devices, don’t charge your devices in the same room you’re trying to sleep in – either charge in the morning or before bed or move them to another room.

Everything electronic radiates heat and you don’t need that when you’re trying to get some sleep.

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Close curtains/blinds

In the daytime close your blinds or curtains. If you think about when the sun is at its hottest those rays are coming through the window heating everything up like a greenhouse. If you close the curtains/blinds your room is instantly cooler.

door

Close your doors

Closing off unused rooms will prevent cool air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day.

You’ll want to capitalise on the cooler night hours, too, letting air flow naturally through your home.

Insulate

When you think of insulation you probably think of keeping warm, but it can work the other way too. Good insulation keeps the heat out as well once the room is cooled down.

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Have you got any good tips to keep your house cool when the temperature rises? Let me know in the comments below.

Other related posts

See all the things I’m excited about over the coming months in my 5 things I’m looking forward to this summer post

Catch up with how we spent the first weekend of the summer here.

If you’re worried about your energy bills I’ve got a post packed full of useful information.

Here’s 10 tips to tackle condensation in your home

Here’s 10 tips to stay warm at home this winter

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Categoryhealth home Recommendations Seasonal
Tagsadvice cool cool your home cotton sheets curtains doors fan how to cool your home how to cool your home in the summer insulation summer tips to cool down top tips

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