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British homes weren’t built for 30°C days. Yet here we are, sweating through increasingly frequent heatwaves with properties designed to trap warmth, not release it.
You don’t need expensive air conditioning to stay comfortable. Smart strategies, simple changes, and proper maintenance can transform your flat into a cool refuge when temperatures soar.
Heatwaves are becoming more common across the UK. What used to be rare summer extremes now happen regularly, catching many of us unprepared.
Extreme heat isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s dangerous. Heat-related illness affects thousands of people each year, particularly vulnerable groups like elderly residents, young children, and those with chronic health conditions.
Your home should be your sanctuary, not a sweatbox. When temperatures rise, having effective cooling strategies becomes essential for your health, comfort, and wellbeing.
Small changes to your daily routine make a big difference:
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Skip alcohol and limit caffeine, as both can contribute to dehydration when you need fluids most.
- Dress smart – Light, loose-fitting clothing in natural fabrics like cotton allows air to circulate around your body. Dark colours absorb heat, so stick to lighter shades.
- Use fans strategically – Place a bowl of ice in front of your fan to create an instant air conditioning effect. The evaporating water cools the air being circulated around your room.
Position fans to create cross-ventilation. One fan pulling hot air out, another bringing cooler air in works better than random placement.
Block Out the Heat
- Close blinds and curtains during the day – This simple step can reduce indoor temperatures by several degrees. Your windows act like greenhouse glass, trapping heat inside.
- Invest in reflective window film – These thin films stick to your windows and bounce heat back outside. They’re removable and perfect for rental properties.
- Consider thermal curtains – Specially designed curtains with thermal backing provide extra insulation against heat. They work for winter warmth too.
Cool Your Space Naturally
- Open windows at night – Once outside temperatures drop, create cross-ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of your flat. This pulls cool night air through your space.
- Hang damp sheets by open windows – As water evaporates, it cools the incoming air naturally. Use old sheets or towels you don’t mind getting damp.
- Close interior doors – Focus cooling efforts on the rooms you’re actually using rather than trying to cool your entire flat.
Use Appliances Wisely
- Turn off electronics when not in use – TVs, computers, and lights all generate heat. Every device you switch off reduces the heat load in your home.
- Avoid using your oven during the day – Cook in the early morning or evening instead. Better yet, try no-cook meals, salads, or use outdoor BBQ space if available.
- Switch appliances to energy-saving modes – Many modern appliances have eco settings that generate less heat while running.
- Use ceiling and pedestal fans efficiently – Fans don’t actually cool rooms, they cool people by increasing air movement over your skin. Turn them off when you leave the room.
- Switch to LED lighting – Traditional bulbs waste energy as heat. LEDs run much cooler and use less electricity.
- Install window awnings or external shading – External shading is more effective than internal blinds because it stops heat before it reaches your windows.
Consider retractable awnings if you’re renting – they don’t require permanent installation.
Watch for these warning signs in yourself and others:
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Headaches and confusion
- Muscle cramps
- Exhaustion and weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
Seek medical help immediately if someone experiences:
- High body temperature
- Hot, dry skin (or profuse sweating)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Loss of consciousness
Don’t ignore these symptoms. Heat exhaustion can quickly become life-threatening heat stroke.
- Keep medications cool – Many medications lose effectiveness in high temperatures. Store them in the coolest part of your home, away from direct sunlight.
- Check on vulnerable neighbours – Elderly residents and those with chronic illnesses are at higher risk during heatwaves. A quick check can save lives.
- Create a designated cool room – Choose the coolest room in your flat (usually north-facing or with good ventilation) and focus your cooling efforts there. Spend the hottest parts of the day in this space.
Stock this room with water, snacks, entertainment, and anything else you need to stay comfortable for several hours.
Hot weather puts extra pressure on your appliances—and when they’re not working properly, your flat can turn into a sauna. Qeeper’s appliance maintenance service keeps fans, fridge-freezers, and ventilation units running efficiently, helping prevent unnecessary heat build-up from faulty or overworked equipment.
A serviced fridge won’t pump out excess heat, and a checked fan will keep air moving just when you need it. Booking maintenance before summer hits means fewer surprises and no scrambling for emergency repairs. And if something does go wrong? Qeeper connects you with fast, reliable help—so you’re not left sweating it out.
Don’t wait for the next heatwave to think about cooling strategies. Prepare your flat now:
- Test all fans and cooling appliances
- Install window films or thermal curtains
- Stock up on ice and frozen water bottles
- Identify your coolest room and prepare it as a retreat space
- Book appliance maintenance checks
Small adjustments and proactive maintenance deliver big comfort gains when temperatures soar.
How will you prepare your flat for the next hot spell? Start with one simple change today – your future self will thank you when the mercury rises.