Top tips to keep Londoners cool

With this week’s red heat warning in London, we’ve put together some of our top tips to help keep yourself and your home cool this summer!

Heatwaves can be dangerous, particularly for the elderly, babies, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions. People who live in urban areas and on the top floors of buildings can also be vulnerable.
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So it’s important to make your home a place to escape from the heat – but it’s not as simple as just opening a window (in fact, in extreme temperatures, that can actually make your home hotter!). 

Here’s our guide to keeping your home cool with some easy to achieve and cost-effective tips.

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Free and easy!

Close windows
During the day, shut windows to keep the warm air out. In the evening, if it has cooled down a little outside, create a breeze by opening lots of windows to help air circulate.

Shut curtains
Keep out the direct sun – close curtains, blinds or shutters. Alternatively, hang a bed sheet or large towel at the window.

DIY air-con
Place a shallow bowl of ice in front of an electric fan for a cool breeze that won’t cost the earth!

Turn off appliances
Even when on standby mode, electronics can generate heat.

Sleep downstairs
Heat rises, so if possible sleep on a lower floor.

Cool down
A cool shower before bed will reduce body temperature. And stay hydrated!
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Think cotton
Ditch the duvet – a thin cotton sheet will keep you cool in the night.

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Cheap and cheerful

Switch to LED lights – Incandescent and halogen bulbs produce a lot of heat, so switching to energy-saving LED lights can help cool your home and save on energy costs.
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Seal doors and windows with draft excluders or draught-excluding tape to keep warm air out. This will also benefit in the winter to stop warm air escaping!

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Medium cost, maximum impact

Invest in thermal blackout curtains – shield from harsh summer sun, and keep it warmer in the winter months too.

Reflective window film – cheap and easy to install and keep rooms cooler. Films like Gila and 3M can reduce cooling energy consumption by up to 35%, leading to significant savings during summer months.
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Cooling mattress pads or pillow inserts – absorb body heat while sleeping.

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Longer-term investments

Install loft insulation – keeps out the heat in summer as well as keeping homes warmer in winter.

Create shade in the garden – plant trees, shrubs in front of windows that take direct hits from the sun.

Heat reflective exterior paint – especially good on south facing walls.

​Install a cool roof - heat reflective roofing, though this might not be the best option in the UK as we don’t have year-long summers!