The Met Office forecasts warm weather from Thursday, April 23, with temperatures potentially hitting 19C in London — here’s how to keep your house cool using curtains, blinds and other expert tips
Warmer weather is poised to sweep across the UK this week, according to the Met Office, with temperatures soaring this Thursday. Conditions could reach a pleasant 19C in London on Thursday, April 23, according to the latest predictions, while temperatures climb across several other regions of the UK.
As a result, anyone needing to maintain a cool home will be seeking methods to keep the heat at bay, which experts recommend includes drawing curtains when sunny conditions return.
Since typical British properties are built to retain warmth for our generally temperate climate and cold winters, they are poorly equipped for extreme heat, rapidly becoming uncomfortably hot and humid furnaces.
Guidance previously provided by energy supplier British Gas instructs households on reducing heat accumulation in their properties by shutting curtains throughout the day, reports the Express.
It states, in its recommendations on maintaining a cool house during hot weather: “Tempting as it might be to throw your windows open during a heatwave, leaving them shut when the day is at its hottest will keep the house cool. So try to only let the air in early or late in the day.
“Light coloured blinds and curtains made of a weightier fabric offer the best heat-blocking potential, so go for these if you’re thinking of updating yours – but keep hold of any darker ones that you replace, so you can switch back once the temperature drops to keep the heat in. Keep these closed during the day too to keep your house cool in summer.” British Gas also emphasises that households can shut and open doors strategically.
It states: “If you’re using a fan, closing off unused rooms during the day will keep the house cool in summer by focusing your cooling efforts where you’ll feel them the most. Similarly, opening your doors in the evening will get the air flowing and stop your home feeling stuffy.”
Along with maintaining a cool house, keeping yourself cool is vital. It continues: “Wear loose, lightweight clothing made of natural fibres like cotton and linen. Use an icepack, chilled hot water bottle or cold cloth on your wrists and feet for an instant cold hit. And if it’s really stuffy inside, consider a dehumidifier. It’ll pull the moisture out of the air and let your skin breathe better.”
The Met Office outlook for Wednesday to Friday states: “Largely settled through mid week, but turning rather windy in the south. Cloudy at times along eastern coasts with an onshore breeze. Warming up in the west.”
And looking forward to the remainder of April and early May, the sunshine is set to persist. It continues: “High pressure is likely to be centred close to or across the UK through much of this period. So many places will be largely dry with clear or sunny periods. Colder air will try to push into the country from the north toward next weekend, but will probably only make limited progress into the northeast for a brief time, where it could bring a short-lived showery interlude, some of these wintry.
“Winds will be mostly light, but briefly stronger in the northeast as that colder air tries to come south. Temperatures will probably be near normal or slightly above for many, but with a risk of colder conditions affecting the north next weekend.”
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