Tips and inspiration
- The climate crisis is making our summers hotter and putting our homes and us at risk of overheating. There are simple ways to keep cool without installing air conditioning.
- Keep blinds and curtains shut on windows receiving direct sunlight to limit your home heating up.
- It may seem counterintuitive, but keep windows closed. On hot days the air outside is often hotter than the air inside your home, so opening your windows actually lets hot air in. Instead open them in the cooler hours of the early morning or evening. Opening windows on opposite sides of your home creates a cross-breeze that flushes hot air from your home and introduces cool air.
- Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs that produce less heat. Switch off electrical appliances when they’re not in use because they give off heat when they’re in standby mode.
- Avoid using the oven or the hob, as they emit a lot of heat for a long time after you’ve finished using them and turned them off. Get inspiration from hot countries for recipes that don’t require cooking, such as these summer rolls from Vietnam. If you do use the hob, after cooking place a pot of cold water on it to absorb the excess heat.
- Check out Shade the UK’s guide to protect your home from overheating. It includes renter-friendly suggestions such as installing reflective window film and placing potted plants near windows to reduce the amount of direct sunlight heating your home.
The big picture
The UK is getting hotter. In 2022, temperatures in the UK exceeded 40°C for the first time on record.
Those particularly vulnerable to extreme heat include elderly people, young children, people with long-term health conditions and those taking medications such as antidepressants that interfere with the body’s temperature regulation.
Sources:
Met Office, Hot weather and its impacts
NHS, Heatwave: How to cope in hot weather
Mental Health UK, Summer and mental health
Why is this action beneficial?
Improve health
Keeping your home cool reduces the risk of heat-related health problems such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It can also support better sleep and cognitive function, both of which are negatively affected by extreme heat.
Save energy
Air conditioning units are very energy-intensive appliances. They account for 7% of global electricity use and 3% of carbon emissions. Try using the tips above rather than installing air con.
Save money
Air conditioning is expensive to install and run. Strategically using shading, windows and fans to passively cool your home costs far less.
Reduce emissions
Air conditioning units leak refrigerants while they’re in use and once they’ve been disposed of. Refrigerants are made of potent, harmful greenhouse gases that directly contribute to global warming. Keeping cool without relying on air conditioning helps cut these emissions.
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