Homes in the UK aren’t really built for the kind of heat we’re experiencing these days. The UK climate was traditionally very chilly and rather mild, with overcast days more common than seeing the sun and blue sky.
But in 2026, we’re expecting some of the hottest temperatures since records began – and that’s something it’s becoming harder and harder to combat thanks to the state of our architecture!
So, it’s safe to say that your home is probably pretty good at keeping heat in. But what about staying cool when it’s roasting outside, and preventing your home from feeling like an oven? Here’s what to think about when it comes to keeping your home cool during the heat.
Do You Keep the Seal Shut Tight?
Your home is well insulated, which is a good first step. That means it has the capacity to stay cool when you need it to.
However, when it’s hot outside and you need the cooler air to stay inside, you shouldn’t head to the windows and throw them open. You need them to stay shut, and keep the insulated seal as tight as possible.
After all, if the air is warmer outside, there’s no breeze that’s going to filter in through the gap – and there’s no cooler air to try and get circulating throughout the house. You’re just going to be trading warm air for hot air, and that’s not the best thing to do at this time of year!
Consider Air Conditioning
Not just the plug in units you can get, where you pop the pipe out of the window. We mean a proper AC system that runs throughout your house, and can be turned on and off the same way as your boiler.
Air conditioning installation like this keeps your home on a more even keel during the heatwaves and hot days, as there’s no set up required, it can be tuned to come on automatically, and they tend to be a bit cheaper to run too.
Of course, you’re going to need to invest in AC services year by year from here on out, but that’s a small price to pay for a temperate home through all the four seasons.
Try Not to Trap Any Moisture
Once again, your home’s insulation is quite good at keeping whatever’s already inside inside.
But when it’s hot, and you want it to be cool, it’s also quite natural to reach for a bowl of ice cubes and put them in front of the fan, so the air it blows towards you actually feels chilled.
Doing this can be a bad idea for the humidity level you’re dealing with. The more moisture in the air, the hotter it’s going to feel! And if your windows are shut, that moisture has nowhere else to go.
Your home’s insulation is a powerhouse! But that also means it gets hot very easily too. Think about this when you’re trying to stay cool during the summer.
