5 tips for staying cool during a heatwave

It’s getting hot. Here are five tips for staying cool during a heatwave

1. Close your windows and doors
   If your windows are in direct sunlight and they’re left open, then you’ll be bringing in warm air. If you have a fan (or fans), then it will constantly be trying to cool warm air. Keep your windows closed to cool down the air that’s already in your house.
2. Close your curtains
   Again, if your windows are in direct sun, then it’s a good idea to close the blinds and/or curtains. Especially if they’re not black or darker coloured, lighter colours will bounce heat away more.
3. Put your fans on as early as possible.
   If you turn your fans on early, they can get to work more quickly and circulate the colder air for a longer period.
4. Open windows and doors that are covered in shade
   I know this may seem like a contradiction, but if you have windows and doors that aren’t in direct sun, then they can bring in cooler air. This will then circulate through your house, and the fans won’t have to work as hard.
5. Create ice blocks and put them in front of your fans
   I filled up some plastic airlock boxes with water and froze them. I then got some books to align the ice better with my fan. This has helped to circulate cooler air around my house. If you don’t have air conditioning, then this could be an alternative for you.
6. Bonus: Put salt in your water before freezing
   I know this was a list of five tips, but I thought I would add this as a bonus. Before freezing your water, add some salt into the mix to make the ice last a little longer than usual. This also means you won’t have to freeze your blocks as often.

Liked these five tips for staying cool during a heatwave? Have any suggestions for staying cool? Let us know in the comments below.

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Learn how to create your very own Homemade Air Conditioner, or read yesterday’s blog post, Visiting Chichester City and walking Kingley Vale.