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Yesterday, Britons enjoyed the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching almost 35°C in some parts of the UK.
Seeking to beat the heat, many sought shelter in parks and beaches as homes became too hot to stay inside.
However, experts have revealed that there are ways to keep your home cool even on the hottest days, without air conditioning.
Leaving containers of water outside, limiting the use of electrical appliances and soaking your feet in cold water can help keep you cool, experts say. The telegraph.
Find below the complete list of tricks to keep your house cool in summer.
Britons will be trying to keep their homes cool as best they can after yesterday’s hottest day of the year.
Leave containers of water around the house.
Leaving containers of water around the house can work like a home air conditioner.
This works especially well near a breeze if you have an open window, because the gusts circulate the water vapor around the house as it evaporates.
Limit the use of electrical appliances
Appliances such as kettles and refrigerators can make your kitchen warmer than expected.
Try to limit the use of these appliances, which in the case of the refrigerator means opening the door as little as possible.
When the refrigerator door is opened, warm air enters and the refrigerator must consume energy to reduce it to its desired temperature.
By doing so, you will release more warm air through the back of the refrigerator, warming the room.
Close curtains and windows
It may seem sensible to keep the windows open as much as possible on a hot day, but when it is actually hotter outside than inside this is counterproductive.
Instead, keep your home ventilated at night and during the day do everything you can to keep the heat out.
This means closing both the curtains and the windows, says Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, and we can learn from Mediterranean people who have to deal with these problems more often than we do.
Beware of greenhouses
While conservatories may seem like a lovely place to spend a sunny day, when it gets too hot they can turn into greenhouses.
If temperatures are really high, avoid spending time in the greenhouse and try to close all doors leading to the greenhouse, if possible, to trap the heat that builds up inside.
Keep the doors closed
Similar to keeping windows closed, on the hottest days air circulation can be a lost cause.
Keeping all doors closed, not just the one to the conservatory, will allow you to find the coolest room in the house and keep it that way.
Spend time in north-facing rooms.
These cooler rooms will likely face north, as they receive less sun.
Try to get ahead by turning off these rooms when you need them most, during the hottest hours of the day.
Use fans strategically
Fans can make a significant difference in keeping your home cool, but be careful.
Fans can raise dust and allergens if not cleaned regularly or used in conjunction with an air purifier.
Prolonged fan use can also dry out your skin, eyes, and nasal passages, so be careful to balance your cooling strategy with your overall comfort and health.
Fresh delights for your feet
Cooling anything near our feet can effectively cool our entire body. Consider chilling socks in the refrigerator for a refreshing sensation.
If you are sitting still, you can fill a bucket with cold water and immerse your feet in it.
As with the water bowls, try to save water once you’re done using it by using it to water your plants.
For the rest of the body, you can fill and freeze a hot water bottle and use it as you would in winter.
Another good way to cool down your body is to wrap a damp towel around your shoulders.
Get rid of the duvet
It seems obvious, but if you get very hot at night, don’t bother buying a duvet.
If you still need that comforting feeling of having something on top of you, try simply using a sheet or duvet cover.
And for the most breathable bedding possible, try to stick to anything that’s 100% cotton—the same goes for pajamas.
Cook later
Cooking midday can be fatal if you’re trying to keep the kitchen cool.
Avoid prepared meals or cooked lunches late in the morning and opt for dinner later to ensure you don’t sacrifice the temperature of your home for a hot meal.
However, it might also be better to have cold foods like salads on hotter days.