I never thought I’d say it but I think it’s a bit too hot at the moment! For non-UK readers, this country is having a prolonged bout of scorching weather. On the one hand, I love it, but it also comes with challenges…
Are you struggling to breathe in your home whilst we have this heatwave?
Do you lie in bed at night with the covers thrown off but still sweltering?
Do you feel like the house has been too stuffy since the start of the summer?
When the summer months roll in, it is especially important to stay cool. Luckily there are a few ways you can fight off heatstroke and make sure that your home stays at an optimal temperature for comfortability! One way would be using equity release as part of a lifestyle change so that you don’t have to worry about cooling costs this year.
We all need to be comfortable at home – cool in the summer and warm in the winter. I’m a big believer in making tweaks to improve the ‘home experience’ because it can have huge knock-on effects such as higher quality sleep, lower stress levels, happier relationships, and even better performance at work.
Here are some more ideas to inspire you to think about how you might keep your home cool and comfortable this summer:
Declutter
Well, I would say that, wouldn’t I!? But here’s a slightly different reason to keep floors and surfaces clear and a house free from excess: a clutter-free house is SO much easier to clean. Dust and heat don’t mix well together and in summer it’s difficult to create a fresh atmosphere at home unless it’s squeaky clean. Honestly, ease of cleaning is one of my biggest motivations for decluttering.
Install an air conditioning unit
Most homes in the UK and European countries do not come with an air conditioning facility as standard like they do in the US. But you could purchase a suitable device for your property. Although it involves initial outlay, you could ensure the house remains at a suitable temperate all day and night. Your kids won’t struggle to complete their homework, and you will get to sleep without feeling hot and bothered. To avoid breaking the bank, use sites such as https://job-prices.co.uk/air-conditioning/ and install it yourself.
Add some patio doors
Adding patio or bi-fold doors which open out into the garden could be one of the best improvements you could make in terms of enhancing your home experience. Opening up the space will encourage you and your family to spend more time outside. You can also open the doors whenever the house becomes too stuffy, and that should help to improve the airflow.
Get creative and cool
You can still use your hot water bottle! Fill it with cold water and place it in the freezer so it creates a lovely ice pack to take to bed with you. Or try sticking your bed sheet in a plastic bag and putting that in the fridge or freezer for a while before making the bed.
Consider some stylish shutters
Keeping the windows open is an obvious way to ease stuffiness, but some people worry about privacy because their windows face other homes on the same street. Curtains can feel heavy and dark and are difficult to clean. I personally love shutters for many reasons, including their modern, clean look and the way they can blackout a room completely. In the summer heat, you can leave windows open all day but with half-close shutters so you get privacy and less glaring sun, but still enough light. As always you can search online to find the perfect fit for your home but I like the simple but quality white ones at https://www.shuttercraft.co.uk/discover-our-shutters/
Improve the airflow
There are lots of ways in which you can improve the airflow around your home. Fans can be great but in extreme heat, they can just end up blowing hot air around. So place them strategically pointing outside, slightly towards the windows – they will then push out the hot air. If you have a ceiling fan set them anti-clockwise to pull the hot air away. Also, in the morning, open all the doors as closed doors in summer can make rooms feel like ovens.
Rethink your flooring
Thick carpets retain heat and act as a form of insulation whereas Real wood and laminate flooring stay cool during the summer months and it’s easy to clean. If you’re concerned about feeling too cold during the winter months; lay some wood flooring, and then cover it up with some thick rugs by the start of November.
Lose some loft insulation
Most modern homes have an awful lot of insulation in the loft these days – brilliant during the winter because your house doesn’t lose too much heat. However, in the summer it may feel too hot, and so it makes sense to remove some of the insulation. Be careful because lots of building companies use fiberglass, and that can make your skin itch and cause irritations. However, if you wear some gloves; you can avoid any adverse effects. Don’t move the insulation out of your loft though – you only need to roll the material and place black bags over each end to ensure it stops working as it otherwise would have done. You can then reverse the process when the temperature drops.
Now you have some of the best strategies for staying cool at home this summer. Don’t struggle through the season feeling uncomfortable. Your home is your sanctuary and your place to re-energise and relax. Nothing should stand in the way of you achieving that goal.
Thanks so much for reading!