As summer temperatures rise, keeping your home cool becomes a priority for comfort and energy efficiency. In regions like the UK, where homes are often designed to retain heat rather than expel it, managing indoor temperatures can be challenging during hot weather. Here, we’ve put together several practical strategies that can help you maintain a cooler and more comfortable indoor environment.
Use Window Coverings Effectively
Closing curtains, blinds, or using reflective window films during the hottest parts of the day can significantly reduce the amount of heat entering your home through windows. This simple step can make a noticeable difference in keeping indoor temperatures lower.
Seal Off Unused Spaces
Keeping doors closed to rooms that are not in use helps prevent cool air from escaping into unoccupied areas. This containment of cooled air enhances the efficiency of any cooling methods you are using.
Harness Natural Ventilation
Take advantage of cooler evening or early morning temperatures by opening windows strategically to create cross-ventilation. This allows fresh air to circulate throughout the house, flushing out accumulated heat and maintaining a pleasant indoor climate.
Use Fans for Circulation
Ceiling fans and portable fans can supplement natural ventilation by circulating air within rooms. Fans don’t lower the temperature but they create a wind-chill effect that makes you feel cooler, allowing you to raise the thermostat setting on your air conditioner or use it less frequently.
Optimise Use of Extractor Fans
Utilise kitchen and bathroom extractor fans to remove heat and humidity generated from cooking, showering, and other activities. This prevents heat buildup indoors, particularly in areas prone to moisture retention.
Minimise Heat Generation
During hot days, avoid using appliances that generate a lot of heat, such as ovens, stoves, and clothes dryers, during peak daylight hours. Opt for outdoor grilling or prepare meals that require minimal cooking to reduce additional heat inside your home.
Invest in Energy Efficiency with EWI
While there are plenty of things you can do to cool your home down once the hot weather arrives, the most effective methods equip your home to deal with temperature fluctuations year-round. One of the best long-term solutions is External Wall Insulation (EWI). EWI improves your home’s thermal efficiency, keeping heat out in summer and warmth in during winter. This investment not only enhances your comfort at home but also reduces heating and cooling costs.
In the UK, home improvements that keep the house cool are often not worth the investment, as hot spells are infrequent and unpredictable, but external wall insulation will help to battle the excess heat, as well as keeping your home comfortable during the colder weather, which there is much more of!
Stay Hydrated and Cool Yourself
Lastly, take care of yourself during hot weather by staying hydrated and using cooling methods like cold beverages, damp towels, or cool showers to lower your body temperature. This reduces the need for excessively cooling your home.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage indoor temperatures during the summer months, ensuring a cooler, more comfortable living environment while also reducing energy consumption and costs. Whether through simple behavioural changes or strategic investments, keeping your house cool in the summer can be both achievable and sustainable.
If you think external wall insulation might be the right solution for your home, please get in touch.