As temperatures climb again this week, it really feels like we have entered a new era of regular super hot summer temperatures. When the thermometer breached 40°C in the UK for the first time in July 2022, you could just about kid yourself it was a one-off. But multiple very hot heatwaves and another near 40°C temperature four years later, and I think it’s time to accept that scorching summer temperatures are now a regular thing.
Given that most of us live in homes that are definitely not fit for purpose in this regard, what is the best way to keep cool inside your home and how much does it cost?
The easiest place to start is to close windows and curtains during the day to keep heat out and, if you can, open windows at night or early morning to let cooler air in. And try to stay in shaded rooms and perhaps do not cook a roast, as ovens generate a fair bit of heat.
Beyond that, for these really hot temperatures you really need some kind of device.
The cheapest way to keep cool is to buy a fan. These can cost as little as around £20 and only cost between 15 and 31p to run over a 24-hour period – with their low energy use also meaning they produce minimal planet-warming CO2 emissions, according to new guidance from the Energy Saving Trust.
