Brits urged to unplug 5 appliances now that make your home hotter in a heatwave

Brits urged to unplug 5 appliances now that make your home hotter in a heatwave With temperatures soaring again for much of the UK, people are being urged to take every possible step in order to stay cool. Another heatwave is on the cards for parts of the UK, and although it won't be quite as intense as the last one, we could still see highs of around 35C this week. Because of this, many Brits will be looking for easy ways to stay cool at home. Some of the most obvious ones include only opening windows and doors during the coolest parts of the day, using a fan and taking cool showers before bed. However, there's another vital step that could not only make you feel more comfortable, but could also save you money too. According to the experts at Ideal Home, there are certain appliances that create a lot of residual heat when they're plugged in. Taking a couple of minutes to go around your house and unplug them is a great way to keep yourself and your home cooler as temperatures are set to climb. Five appliances to unplug during heatwave Air fryers It may not seem like it, but countertop appliances - no matter how small they are - can emit residual heat. The kitchen is already one of the hottest rooms in the house, thanks to other devices like ovens and washing machines, so you'll want to try and reduce this wherever possible. Appliance expert at AO.com, Katie Lillywhite, said: "Start with smaller worktop appliances, like microwaves, kettles, toasters and coffee machines. Some more modern varieties feature digital displays which can generate more heat alongside internal components. Switching them off at the outlet when they’re not in use can keep the space cooler." Tumble dryers The weather is good enough to hang your clothes outside to dry, so there's really no need for you to have the tumble dryer plugged in. They generate a lot of heat, which can make your home even more uncomfortable when it's warm. Not only does drying outside keep your house cooler, it's also a great money-saver, and it'll make your clothes, sheets and towels smell beautifully fresh too. Games consoles Any standby electronics, from games consoles to TVs, can generate heat and make your living room feel stiflingly hot. Katie said: "Many people underestimate how much heat everyday electronics generate, even in standby mode. Smart TVs, games consoles and streaming boxes continually draw power and release low-level heat which can subtly raise room temperature when combined with other appliances." Chargers We're all guilty of doing this, but during a heatwave, you should try to avoid leaving your phone or laptop charging for extended periods of time when it isn't necessary. The heat that can come off chargers can be intense when they're plugged into the wall, and they're often very hot to the touch when you pick them up. Not only does this waste money and energy, it's just not ideal when you're already feeling the heat, so only charge your devices when it's necessary. Lights Finally, light bulbs themselves can create a lot of heat and also waste money if they're switched on unnecessarily during the day. It's very bright for most of the day already, so there's often no need to have the light on. This is especially true when it comes to older bulbs. Katie added: "Be sure to keep lights switched off as much as possible throughout the day and consider swapping incandescent or halogen bulbs for LEDs."