It’s another scorcher today and more hot weather is set to bake the UK again on Tuesday, the Met Office has forecast. A record breaking few days of sizzling weather will draw to an end from Wednesday, but for now, we’re all still struggling to exist in our thick, well insulated British houses, let alone work, rest or sleep.
That’s why many of us will be looking to do whatever we can to cut the heat and keep our homes as cool as they possibly can be for as long as this hot spell lasts. According to charity The Red Cross, one way to cut heat in your home is to unplug and switch off appliances.This is because various appliances, especially electronics like TVs, games consoles, PCs and kitchen appliances, continue to use up electricity and produce heat when left plugged in and on standby.
The Red Cross says in its guidance: “Even when in standby mode, electrical items can generate heat. Make sure any in the bedroom are turned off and unplugged.”
It adds: “You don’t want to generate any further heat so make sure your central heating is turned off. You can also turn off and unplug appliances and electronics when they’re not in use, as well as avoid having too many lights on.
“You should also consider cooking at cooler times of the day, or choose meals that don’t require the use of an oven or hob that create additional heat.”
Not only will this possibly help reduce the heat level in your home, but it will also save you a few pennies on standby costs (in fact, several ‘vampire appliances’ can add quite a bit to your energy bills just from standby when added together).
The Red Cross also suggests that you should focus efforts on one specific room, like a bedroom, to create a ‘cool room’, and avoid rooms like the kitchen.
It adds: “It can be hard to keep an entire home cool, so aim to create a specific area by choosing one or two rooms like a bedroom, or sitting room, to keep cool instead. Keep windows covered and shut and close doors to stop warm air entering.
“Try to avoid, or spend as little time in as possible, rooms that will be hard to keep cool like a kitchen where heat is generated by appliances and cooking devices, or rooms with large, windows where the sun is shining.”
The Met Office says in its forecast for Tuesday: “Another sunny day across England and Wales as the heatwave continues, with a small chance of a few heavy, thundery showers. Fresher for Scotland and Northern Ireland with sunny spells.”