Summers are Getting Hotter. Here’s How to Cope at Home

In recent years, we have seen record-breaking temperatures in the summer and more heatwaves than usual. This is likely due to climate change, so it is unlikely to change any time soon, and that means that we all need to get used to warmer weather, and we all need to look at what we can do to make the summer season more comfortable for us, especially in the summer. That’s exactly what I am going to do in the post below, so keep on reading if you want to be comfortable at home, even when the temperature soars.

Why UK homes struggle in hot weather

Okay, before we go any further, it is worth knowing why so many homes in the UK get so hot and unbearable when summer temperatures rise.

Basically, because our weather has been so historically mild in the summer, and cold in the winter, many homes in the UK have historically been designed to retain heat rather than to release it. Thick walls, insulation aimed at reducing heating bills, smaller windows, and limited airflow are excellent in winter but can turn houses into heat traps in summer.

Flats, loft conversions, and south-facing properties are particularly vulnerable. Once heat gets in, it has nowhere to go, especially during periods when night-time temperatures remain high. As summers continue to get warmer, learning how to manage indoor heat is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity.

Now, let’s take a look at what we can do to make our homes more comfortable in the summer heat…

Block heat before it enters

If you can, it’s always better and more effective to block the heat of the sun before it gets into your home. You can do that by:

Closing curtains and blinds during the day. When the sun starts to shine, many of us want to make the most of it, so we throw open the curtains and blinds all day long. This is a really bad idea if you want to stay cool and comfy because it gives the sun a direct route by which it can heat up your home. Keep them closed until the evenings when you canthrow them open, and invest in thermal window treatments, which are the most effective at keeping the heat out.

Using external shading. If it is possible for you to do so, then investing in external shading like shutters, awnings or temporary shades like shade sails, can reduce the amount of light that gets in through your windows.

Keeping windows shut during peak heat. While it feels counterintuitive, opening windows when it’s hotter outside can actually make your home warmer. Keep them closed during the hottest part of the day, particularly on the sun-facing side of the house.

Let cooler air in at the right time

Of course, it’s important to keep your home well ventilated if you want to keep it cool, but you need to make sure that you ventilate at the optimum time. You can do that by:

Opening windows early morning and late evening. It’s good to let some air into the home in summer, but you need to do so when it is cooler, so late at night and early in the morning is the best time to open up.

Using fans wisely. Fans can be a great way of cooling down your home and yourself, but only if you use them the right way. This means placing a fan near an open window in the evening because fans don’t generate cool air, they just move it around. uring the day, aim fans at yourself rather than around the room for maximum effect.

Reduce internal heat sources

There are lots of things in our homes that generate heat, and when it’s already hot due to the weather, it’s a good idea to minimise their impact as much as you can by:

Limiting oven and hob use. Summer is the perfect time for salads and barbecues, so you can avoid using the cooker as much as you usually would, preventing it from heating up your home. If you do need to cook hot meals, then air fryers and slow cookers are good as they give off less heat.

Switching off unused electronics. If you’re not using the TV, computer, light bulbs, or anything else that has to be plugged into the grid, turn them off because having them on can generate more heat than you might think.

Changing your lighting. If you have not already done so, then switching to LED bulbs before summer comes along is sensible as they use far less energy and get far less hot.

Make changes to your home

If you want to ensure that yotu home is comfy and cool every summer going forward, then it might be worth making a few changes to your home:

Install air conditioning. Since it is only going to get hotter in the coming years, it is definitely worth thinking about an air conditioning installation that will allow you to keep your home just as cool as you want to at all times.

Improving insulation smartly. Good installation does not just keep the heat in, but it also helps to keep it out when combined with proper ventilation and shading.

Upgrading windows. Double or triple glazing with solar control coatings can reduce heat gain without blocking natural light.

Adding reflective surfaces. Light-coloured walls, roofs, and furnishings absorb less heat, helping maintain lower indoor temperatures.

A calmer, cooler summer at home

Hot summers are no longer rare in the UK, and that means, if you want to stay cool and comfy when you’re at home, you need to start thinking about what changes you can make, both to your home and your way of life, to get through it and ensure that you actually enjoy your summers, rather than just enduring them. All of the ideas above can and will help, but only if you implement them, so start thinking about summer now.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.