Knowing how to keep your house cool during Summer in the UK matters more than ever, as temperatures continue to push above 30°C. This is perhaps more prevalent in Sussex, where over the past few summers, there have been occasional glimpses of the mercury reaching 40° or more. For Sussex homeowners without air conditioning, there could be some good news. Several low-cost strategies can help you keep your home cool without significant effort or expense.
In this blog, we cover seven proven methods for keeping your Sussex home cool this summer, as well as show which properties are most prone to overheating and who is most at risk from heat-related illness during a summer heatwave.
The single most effective thing you can do is manage when you open your windows. Opening them between 11 am and 5 pm, typically the hottest parts of the day, lets warm air in rather than keep it outside. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency recommends keeping windows shut during peak heat hours and opening them once temperatures outside drop below those indoors. This will usually be from early evening and again first thing in the morning.
In Sussex, where summer weather in Brighton, Eastbourne and Lewes, for example, can regularly reach the high 20s and low to mid 30s, this tip can make a real difference. Open windows on the opposite side of the property in the evening, too. This will encourage cross-ventilation and help to flush out the heat that has built up during the day.
Even when your windows are closed, sunlight passing through the glass transfers directly into your rooms. Windows facing south, east and west are the worst for this, so closing curtains, blinds or shutters before the sun reaches each window can reduce the temperature rise in your property.
If you don’t have proper window coverings, the British Red Cross suggests hanging a towel or sheet across the glass as a temporary fix. For something more long-term, external shutters or blinds can prove useful as they intercept the sun before it hits the glass.
It’s all too easy to switch on a fan and let it blow, but you often spread warm air around the property rather than cool it down.
To get the best from your fans, position them to draw in cooler air from a shaded or north-facing room rather than blow air across a room that has already been warmed.
Ceiling fans can be an effective method as they push cooler air downwards. It is widely accepted that you should only use electric fans when the indoor temperature is below 35°C. Above this, the circulation of hot air could increase the risk of heat exhaustion rather than relieve it. You should also avoid pointing a fan directly at your body for extended periods as the can accelerate dehydration.
Generating extra heat when it is already warm is something you do more than you probably think. Switch your central heating off or set the thermostat so it won’t kick in on a hot day. Then think about the lights you might leave on and the appliances you may use. Ovens, microwaves, tumble dryers and dishwashers can all generate excess heat, so consider using them at cooler parts of the day. Or, when it comes to cooking, consider meals that don’t require the oven to reduce the heat even more.
When it comes to lighting, switch to LED where possible; they are not only much more efficient than incandescent or filament bulbs but also produce considerably less heat.
Your property does a great job of keeping the cold out with its insulation, but in the summer, it can also help you keep the heat at bay. Poorly insulated walls allow heat to penetrate the home, heating the rooms and making it more challenging to keep things cool. Consider adding insulation panels to interior walls or adding external insulation where possible. You could also look at roof, loft and floor insulation too.
This is especially relevant for top-floor rooms, which heat up first and cool down last. If you live in a top-floor Sussex flat, for example, you may struggle with summer temperatures. Targeting loft insulation may be one of the best options available to you. Sealing gaps around doors and windows also helps. The same draughts that let cold air in during the winter will let hot air in during the summer.
Not only can some greenery look good, but it can also help reduce the impact of the sun. Having these items just outside your home, where they can shade the windows, helps reduce the heat entering the property. Considering trees such as oak or maple can be a great idea, as they provide shade in the summer and allow light through in the winter. Just be wary of where they are planted, though. Too close to the house, and the roots could lead to cracks appearing in your walls.
Climbing plants on external walls can also be a good idea as they reduce the surface temperature of the brickwork, while potted plants on south-facing balconies or patios add additional shade and reduce reflected heat from the surfaces.
It may not always be easy to keep an entire home cool, perhaps due to budget, landlord constraints or property-specific factors, but you might be able to make some rooms cooler than others. Consider a bedroom or sitting room where you can keep windows covered and doors closed to stop warm air from entering.
This can be particularly beneficial in older Sussex properties. Think Victorian terraces like those found in Brighton, for example. Their solid wall construction can make temperature control for the home quite difficult without a mechanical cooling system.
A cool bedroom is perhaps most important. Sustained overnight temperatures above 18°C impair sleep and carry an increased health risk, particularly for older people.
Throughout Sussex, we have an array of property types. From luxurious apartments in Brighton to quaint cottages in villages like Storrington, and from townhouses in Horsham to detached homes in Dorking, it’s an area full of variety. Some homes, though, may not be ideal for keeping the heat out, despite your best efforts.
Homes that can sometimes overheat during warm weather in Sussex include:
Despite best efforts to keep a house cool during the summer, there are still some people who may be more susceptible to heatstroke or other heat-related illnesses than others. The UK Government has created a ” Beat the heat checklist” that uses the list shown below to indicate who may be at most risk:
If you or someone you care for is in one of these groups, prioritising a cool bedroom and monitoring indoor temperatures is especially important. The UK Health Security Agency recommends keeping living areas below 26°C during hot weather.
If you are concerned that your best efforts aren’t keeping your property cool enough, it might be time to invest in air conditioning installation. Our family-run, Sussex-based business has over 20 years of experience in the building and installation of air conditioning units for residential and commercial properties. With a fully qualified team, we carefully install air conditioning units in accordance with the latest energy-saving and carbon-reduction legislation. Why not contact the Sussex Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps team today to find out how we can help keep you cool this summer?
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