Summer heat without the benefit of air con is one of the big downsides to working from home. Home air con has never really taken off in the UK. Air con can be pricy to run, and even portable units take up quite a bit of space and there are not many appliance switches you can make to save cash on keeping cool. But never fear, we have some low-tech, low-cost ways to keep your home cool during the day so you can work and at night so you can sleep.
Close curtains and windows in the hottest part of the day
We recommend closing your curtains and your windows during the hottest part of the day when the air is warmer outside than in. This will keep cool air inside the house. Then, when the air outside is cooler than the air inside, open curtains and windows.
Shut the door on un-used rooms to keep temperatures low
If you have a room that gets a lot of sun and that is difficult to cool, close the door on it. That way the warm air will stay in that room, keeping the rest of your house cooler.
Encourage air flow to keep your home cool
When the air outside is cooler than the air inside, you’ll want to encourage air flow to drive the cool air into your home and the warm, stale air out. You can do this by opening doors and windows on opposite sides of the house to encourage a cross-draught. To increase the effect, use a fan in the coolest part of your house and direct it towards the warmest part of your house. Some people also swear by setting a bowl of ice in front of the fan.
If you haven’t managed to keep the air inside your home cool, then a cross-draught can also help keep you cool.
Use your outside space for eating
A shaded outside space may be more comfortable for eating and even working, so take a look at your garden or terrace to see if it can be used in hot weather as a room outside.
Avoid using the oven in hot weather
Having said there are not many appliance switches you can make to save energy while you stay cool, it’s worth thinking about how you prepare food in hot weather. Ovens and stoves will all make your kitchen hotter, so it’s better to avoid using them during a heat wave. Plan meals so that you don’t have to cook, or batch cook when a hot spell is predicted. Many people eat less in hot weather, too. Consider whether you can cook food to eat later on in the early morning when temperatures are lower.
Declutter to help keep your house cool
Decluttering your home will allow you to make full use of every heat-reducing hack you can think of. It will give you easy access to windows, allow you to position fans for maximum cooling and allow air to move easily through your rooms. Putting woollen winter clothing and blankets and other seasonal domestic goods into storage will help you make the most of your home whatever the weather. If you’re putting more of your things into a storage unit, don’t forget to get insurance
Cover leather or plastic seating with a throw
Leather and plastic seating is notoriously uncomfortable in a hot environment. Drop a throw or a cotton sheet over your seat to reduce the stickiness.
Use reflective window film
Reflective window film is a relatively low-cost way of reducing the amount of solar energy absorbed by your home. This will help keep the room cooler.
Need more answers about cooling your home?
The Energy Saving Trust has some advice on changes you can make to your home to keep it cooler.
Staying cool at home during a heatwave
A cooler home will keep you productive during the working day, and help you to sleep better at night – and if you can do it at no extra cost, that’s all to the good.
