Six Strategies to Maintain Comfort in Your Home and Body During Heatwaves

As temperatures climb, adopting specific habits can help maintain a comfortable environment for both your household and your physical well-being. Here are six practical methods to combat the heat.

1. Optimize Natural Ventilation

To promote air circulation, open windows located on opposite sides of your property. This strategy facilitates the exit of trapped warm air while drawing in cooler outdoor air. This technique is most effective when the external temperature is lower than the internal temperature, typically during the night or early morning hours.

For flats with windows on a single façade, open interior doors and utilize fans to simulate airflow. Since hot air rises, ensure that loft vents or upper-level windows are opened to release accumulated heat, preventing it from becoming trapped on the second floor where it may disrupt sleep. Additionally, installing extra insulation can serve a dual purpose: it keeps heat out during the summer and retains warmth in the winter, thereby reducing overall energy consumption and costs.

2. Block Solar Heat During Peak Hours

During the hottest part of the day, it is crucial to keep windows closed. Additionally, draw blinds or curtains, particularly on the side of the house facing direct sunlight, to prevent solar radiation from raising indoor temperatures.

3. Utilize Fans Efficiently

Fans offer a cost-effective and energy-efficient method to keep air moving. According to the Energy Saving Trust, running a freestanding fan for 24 hours typically costs between 15p and 31p. For maximum efficiency, place a fan in front of an open window to draw cooler outside air into the room, provided the outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature.

You can further enhance cooling by placing ice cubes in front of the fan to chill the air being circulated. Using multiple fans can help create a cross-breeze. Prof Mike Tipton from the University of Portsmouth emphasizes the physiological impact of fans: “Fanning the face improves thermal comfort most, but fanning the whole body helps lower body temperature more.” However, he cautions that fans may be counterproductive when temperatures exceed 35C, as they simply blow hot air onto the body.

In contrast, air conditioning is significantly more expensive. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that running an air conditioner for 24 hours continuously costs between £4.84 and £6.

4. Minimize Internal Heat Sources

Cooking appliances like ovens and cookers release substantial heat into the home, both during and after use. To avoid generating unnecessary warmth, opt for cold meals such as salads, especially during the peak heat of the day. Similarly, delay using heat-producing appliances like washing machines and dishwashers until the temperature drops.

High humidity can also contribute to heat exhaustion, so it is advisable to reduce moisture levels indoors by: * Taking shorter, cooler showers. * Wiping down surfaces to remove excess water. * Moving indoor plants outdoors.

While heat exhaustion is generally manageable if you can cool down, heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. Call 999 if you suspect someone is suffering from heatstroke.

5. Manage Personal Cooling

Tepid showers are an effective way to lower body temperature while conserving energy and money. However, Prof Tipton advises against using water that is too cold: “The trick is to try and get the skin as cool as possible whilst maintaining maximum blood flow to it. Too cold and the body will shut down blood to the skin and trap the heat in the body making it harder to get out.”

For instant relief, apply an ice pack or a cold-water bottle to your body, ideally wrapped in a towel to prevent direct skin contact. Your choice of clothing also plays a significant role in temperature regulation. Natural fibers like cotton and linen aid in temperature control, while loose-fitting garments allow air to circulate and cool the skin. This is why cotton bed sheets are particularly beneficial for sleeping in hot rooms.

6. Seek Cooler Public Spaces

If your home becomes too hot, seek refuge in air-conditioned public buildings such as libraries, leisure centers, and shopping malls. Additionally, some local authorities have established networks of designated "cool spots" to provide relief for residents during extreme weather events.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-20 09:23:43 UTC