As the UK continues to experience high temperatures and forecasts hint at yet another heatwave next week, many of us will be looking for ways to beat the heat and keep our homes as cool as possible.
While older properties face unique challenges, modern homes are often mistakenly thought to become ‘greenhouses’ in summer. In reality, their high-quality insulation and advanced materials are designed to keep heat out as effectively as they retain warmth in winter, provided homeowners use the right heat-management techniques
Whether you’re managing a traditional home, or looking to unlock the hidden cooling technology built into brand new property, having a strategy is essential. Here are some top tips for keeping your home cool this summer.
1) Create a ‘Daytime Shield’
Universal Tip: Start by identifying when the outdoor temperature surpasses the indoor temperature. Then check which rooms receive direct sunlight, typically South and West facing spaces. Before these rooms are exposed to the sun, close the windows and lower the blinds or curtains. Ideally do this first thing in the morning, but it is especially important between 11am and 3pm when solar heat is at its strongest.
The New Build Advantage: If you live in a new build property, your windows are a major line of defence. Foreman Homes properties are fitted with uPVC double-glazed windows. This helps to reduce heat transfer from the outside and keep indoor temperatures more comfortable during warmer weather.
2) Master Night-time Ventilation
Once the sun goes down, and outside air temperature comes below indoor room temperature, you’re safe to open the windows!
Universal Tips: Utilise cross ventilation. Open windows on opposite sides of your home. This will create a natural pressure difference, drawing a refreshing breeze right through the house.
Leverage the ‘stack effect’. If you live in a three- or four- bedroom house, heat will naturally rise to the upper floors. Open a downstairs window on the shaded side of the house, and an upstairs window. The warm air will escape out of the top while pulling cooler air from the bottom.
The New Build Advantage: Trickle vents also provide a steady flow of fresh air, helping to improve ventilation and maintain a comfortable indoor environment during the warmer weather.
3) Minimise Internal Heat Generation
Universal Tips: Ditch the oven and make the most of summer by heating up the BBQ or use smaller appliances such as air fryers and induction hobs, which generate less heat. If possible, cook during cooler parts of the day.
Switch off electronics that are not in use. Unplug or turn off devices, chargers and appliances that aren’t being used, as they can still generate heat and consume energy even on standby.
Use fans effectively. Electric fans can help ventilate, but only if the temperature is below 35 degrees otherwise your risk spreading warm air around your home.
New Build Advantage: Optimise extractor fans: Your kitchen and bathroom mechanical extractor fans aren’t just for steam. Running them during the hottest parts of the day helps pull warm, humid air out of the busiest zones of the house.
With a few smart adjustments and making the most of your home’s built in features, you can keep cool and stay comfortable.
