How to Keep Your Home Cool During a UK Heatwave: 10 Practical Tips for Homeowners

The UK isn’t known for its scorching summers, but in recent years, heatwaves have become more frequent and more intense. While many of us welcome the sunshine, soaring temperatures can quickly make our homes uncomfortable, especially as most UK properties are designed to keep heat in during the colder months.

The good news is that you don’t need expensive air conditioning to stay comfortable. A few simple changes can help keep your home cooler, improve your sleep and even reduce your energy bills.

Here are our top tips for keeping your home cool during a UK heatwave.

1. Keep the Sun Out

One of the easiest ways to keep your house cool is by stopping the sun from heating it in the first place.

Close curtains, blinds or shutters on windows that receive direct sunlight, particularly those facing south and west. Blackout or thermal curtains can help reflect heat and keep rooms noticeably cooler throughout the day.

Top tip: Keep curtains closed before the sun reaches the window rather than waiting until the room has already heated up.

2. Open Windows at the Right Time

It may be tempting to leave windows open all day, but this often lets even more hot air inside.

Instead:

• Open windows early in the morning.
• Open them again in the evening once temperatures begin to fall.
• Create a cross breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of your home.
• Close windows and curtains during the hottest part of the day.

This simple routine helps trap cooler air indoors for much longer.

3. Turn Off Heat-Producing Appliances

Many household appliances generate surprising amounts of heat.

During particularly warm days, try to avoid using:

• Ovens
• Tumble dryers
• Dishwashers
• Computers and gaming consoles for long periods
• Incandescent light bulbs

Cooking outdoors, preparing cold meals or waiting until the evening to use appliances can help keep indoor temperatures down.

4. Use Fans More Efficiently

Fans don’t lower the room temperature, but they do help your body cool itself.

For an extra cooling effect:

• Place a bowl of ice or frozen water bottles in front of a fan.
• Position fans near open windows during cooler evenings.
• Use ceiling fans (if you have them) on a counter-clockwise setting during summer.

5. Keep Bedroom Temperatures Low

Getting a good night’s sleep during a heatwave can be difficult.

To make bedtime more comfortable:

• Use lightweight cotton bedding.
• Swap thick duvets for a light sheet.
• Take a cool (not freezing) shower before bed.
• Keep bedroom blinds closed during the day.
• Open windows overnight if it’s safe to do so.

Even lowering your bedroom temperature by a couple of degrees can make a big difference.

6. Stay Hydrated and Help Your Home Stay Cool

Staying hydrated is essential during hot weather, but did you know houseplants can also help?

Plants naturally release moisture into the air through transpiration, while gardens with trees and shrubs provide shade that can reduce temperatures around your property.

If you’re spending time outside, creating shaded seating areas with pergolas, awnings, or climbing plants can make your garden much more enjoyable too.

7. Reduce Indoor Humidity

Humidity can make your home feel even hotter.

Try to:

• Dry clothes outside instead of indoors.
• Keep bathroom doors closed after showers.
• Use extractor fans where possible.
• Cover pans while cooking.

Reducing moisture in the air helps rooms feel fresher.

8. Consider Longer-Term Home Improvements

As UK summers continue to get warmer, many homeowners are investing in improvements that make properties more comfortable all year round.

These include:

• Energy-efficient glazing
• External shutters
• Loft insulation
• Better ventilation
• Solar control window film
• Heat pumps with cooling functions

Many of these upgrades can improve your home’s energy efficiency as well as its comfort and long-term value.

9. Spend Time in the Coolest Room

Heat rises, so ground-floor rooms often stay cooler than upstairs bedrooms.

If your home becomes particularly warm, choose one room to keep as cool as possible by closing curtains, limiting appliance use and keeping doors shut.

10. Think About Your Home’s Future

Extreme weather is becoming more common across the UK. Whether you’re buying your first property, moving home or planning renovations, it’s worth considering how your home performs in both winter and summer.

Energy-efficient homes are often cheaper to run, more comfortable to live in and increasingly attractive to future buyers.

If you’re considering borrowing to improve your property, speaking to a mortgage adviser can help you understand the options available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I keep my house cool without air conditioning?

Close curtains during the day, open windows in the early morning and evening, use fans efficiently, avoid using heat-generating appliances and create shade around your home.

Should I keep my windows open during a heatwave?

Only when the outside air is cooler than inside your home. In most cases, it’s best to open windows overnight and close them during the hottest part of the day.

What is the coolest room in a house during hot weather?

Ground-floor rooms, particularly those that don’t receive direct sunlight, are usually the coolest places to spend time during a heatwave.

Can home improvements help keep my house cooler?

Yes. Improvements such as better glazing, loft insulation, external shading and improved ventilation can all help regulate indoor temperatures while boosting your home’s energy efficiency.

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