Six cheap ways to heat-proof your home before next heatwave hits in days

Six cheap ways to heat-proof your home before next heatwave hits in days As the UK enjoys a short period of cooler weather following a spell of record-breaking heat in the UK, weather forecasters have warned that another heatwave may be on the way Brits could soon be facing another sweltering heatwave, with forecasters warning temperatures may soar again in early July as a high-pressure system builds over the UK. Meteorologists say an area of high pressure extending from the Azores could become "parked" over Britain and parts of western Europe from this weekend, potentially developing into another heat dome just days after temperatures reached 38C in parts of the country. If that happens, temperatures could rapidly climb once again, with the heatwave threshold potentially being triggered across south-east England. While many people will be hoping for a reprieve following the sweltering temperatures of late, sustainability expert Andrew Hulbert says there are several inexpensive ways to keep homes cool that won't sending energy bills soaring. 1. Keep the sun out during the day One of the biggest mistakes people make is opening windows and curtains as soon as the sun comes up. Andrew said: "If you look to the Mediterranean, they have shutters on the outside of their houses, and the idea is the sun doesn't have the ability to heat inside. "Now, we're not all going to go out and put shutters on our houses, but what you can do is put blackout curtains up." Blackout curtains or blinds are a relatively inexpensive way to stop the sun heating rooms, particularly those that face south or west. He added: "Sometimes people have the curtains and windows open, and that allows the sun direct access into the house." 2. Wait until the evening before opening windows Although it may seem tempting to throw every window open during the day, doing so can actually let even more hot air into your home. Instead, Andrew recommends waiting until temperatures begin to fall. "As the day goes on, around 7pm, then open everything up so the hot air can go out through the windows," he said. Opening windows on opposite sides of the house creates a cross breeze that helps flush out trapped heat far more effectively than opening just one window. 3. Let the heat escape into the loft Here's one hack many homeowners may never have considered. Because hot air naturally rises, Andrew says opening the loft hatch can provide another escape route for heat that's built up inside the house. "Another hack is to open your hatch inside your loft because hot air rises, so it makes its way into your loft," he explained. Combined with open windows downstairs in the evening, this can help cool the property much more quickly. 4. Turn a fan into a DIY air conditioner If you already own a fan, there's a simple trick that can make it feel much cooler. Andrew recommends placing a bowl of ice directly behind the fan. "Put a bowl of ice behind a fan and turn the fan on and it will draw cold air above the ice and create some cooling effect," he said. It's a low-cost alternative to air conditioning and only requires ice from your freezer. 5. Make sure your heating isn't accidentally warming the house It sounds obvious, but Andrew says many households forget to adjust their heating systems once summer arrives. "Make sure your heating is not accidentally coming on," he said. "Make sure it's in summer-only mode so it only creates hot water if you need it. Sometimes heating systems are left on and they inadvertently create heat. It'll also save energy on your boiler." He also recommends checking your thermostat is turned right down. 6. Use shade wherever you can Keeping direct sunlight away from your windows is one of the easiest ways to reduce indoor temperatures. Whether it's blackout blinds, closed curtains or natural shade from trees, stopping sunlight entering your home in the first place is far more effective than trying to cool it afterwards. As Andrew puts it: "Shade is your friend." 7. Consider a portable air conditioner if you struggle to sleep While not a cheap option, Andrew says portable self-condensing air conditioning units have become much more affordable in recent years. "They're about £300 now, so expensive but not out of reach," he said. These units vent hot air through a hose placed out of a window and can make a significant difference during the hottest nights. For those looking for a more permanent solution, Andrew said he paid around £1,400 to install air conditioning in one room of his home. "It gives you a safe haven to sleep because that's what gets impacted most when heat comes." He added that, alongside keeping homes cool, people should remember to drink plenty of fluids and avoid spending long periods in direct sunlight during extreme heat.