A few more random tips. Sleeping can be really hard. As well as fans, windows etc, having light cotton sheets and even filling a hot water bottle with iced water can help. And if you manage a workplace, think about whether people can work in cooler parts of the building, can postpone activities that generate heat or are strenuous, or can work at home to avoid the additional heat stress with travelling 15/
With unprecedented weather arriving in the UK, it is important you know all the tips for staying cool in the heat.
Buildings
Before going into buildings there’s some basics – drink plenty of water, wear light clothing, stay out of the peak of the sun, limit exercise, watch out for vulnerable people and if you are feeling unwell seek health advice. The government have issued plenty of advice here.
Buildings are a safe place during a heatwave. A key principle to help this is to limit as much heat as you can coming into during the day, and then using the evening/night to cool the space as best you can
Staying Cool In The Heat – Heat Sources
To limit your space heating up focus on reducing heat sources and providing airflow and cooling. During the day keep shutters blinds and curtains closed on the sunny side of the building to minimise the direct solar gain – you may need to adjust through the day.
Where it is practical to do so you can also reduce the amount of heat in a building by limiting use of devices which generate heat like ovens, tumble dryers, computers, hairdryers and TVs et
Staying Cool In The Heat – Ventilation
If you rely on windows and doors for ventilation, prioritise opening the ones on the shady sides of the building. Opening both low and high level windows can help to ventilate a room in hot still weather – opening on ground and first floor can make this work even better.
Staying Cool In The Heat – Fans
Using fans can help to keep people feel cooler and to move air through the space. You can also place wet towels or ice blocks in front of a fan which will evaporate water in the air stream and will provide some further cooling. If you have an air conditioner, great! But remember to have some ventilation through windows etc too especially if you are sharing the room with others – most local air con units just recirculate air and don’t provide fresh air (yes we still have to think Covid too)
Release The Heat!
The second key principle is to get rid of as much heat as possible when the temperature drops. When it starts to cool in the evening, open up doors and windows as much as possible to allow the cooler air to flow. This obviously depends on security!
Staying Cool In The Heat – Other Tips
