Keeping homes cool

[Orangeinmybluelightcup]

Stating the obvious, it was sweltering last night! Homes in this country were not designed for the heat... Things are only going to get worse, from what I've read climate change is really starting to get a grip right now. Floods in Germany, fires in Siberia, the amazon is a carbon source now, not a sink. This got me wondering, what measures can we retrofit into our homes to help keep them cool, without using yet more energy ie air con?!

We’ve got a massive ceiling fan. You can get cooling gel pillows now, I think silentnight make them.

Just been doing some research while waiting for 6yo to drop off, these are some things I think we'll try to retrofit...

• shutters, to reflect sunlight before it comes in
• ceiling fans
• I might ask about ventilation in the loft

In our extension which is starting in a couple of weeks to replace the conservatory:

• An awning, to reduce solar gain
• An extra window in the side, to create a cross breeze
• choosing a skylight that can open
• a sedum roof... Depending on money!
• a white roof to reflect heat
• installing a ceiling fan

I've also read that we should keep the windows shut upstairs during the day to keep the hot air out in the first place. Blinds were drawn all day but windows open.

Dc have gone to bed cuddling an ice pack.

If everyone gets air con it's just going to mean more carbon, adding to the problem...

Unless everyone is with a renewable energy company. Or has solar etc.

There is a case to be made for just getting used to it. Dh spends his day in air conditioned lorries and chiller units. He finds even mildly pleasant weather difficult to deal with. I spend my days in a very 40deg plus boat or in the sun or in very hot offices and warehouse (air con not allowed on outside of office hours). I don’t feel the effects anywhere near as much as many. I think it’s due being acclimatised.

That’s said, I bloody love it if an office allow me to have the air con on when hoovering!!

@Orangeinmybluelightcup Don’t forget window solar gain film.

Dh has discounted it but I think I can get away with it now we have a longhair cat.

It’s an animal welfare issue now.

We keep all blinds and curtains closed etc but when the temperature in the bedroom refuses to go below 28 at night (meaning you can’t sleep), we got a portable aircon from B&Q.

Best £300 we’ve ever spent!

As others have said above the key to keeping a house cool is to stop the heat getting in in the first place. So that means external shading/shutters to windows and v good levels of insulation in the first place. A house that is well insulated stays at a more constant temp than a poorly insulated building. Some v old buildings are actually great as they have such thick walls they act as a heat sink, so absorb it and then release it when it's cooler.

I think we need to look at the way we build houses, I've lived in a number of different types of houses and presently in a house which is over hundred years old. It's an ok temparation to sleep in, much better than some more recent places (talking 60s onwards)

We have a mobile air conditioner that is amazing around £300 in b&q. Would not be without it

I was reading about a sort of white paint which actively cools buildings to lower than ambient temperature. The problem in Britain is that that would only be of benefit about 2 months of the year. Exterior shutters are the option that most tempts me I think.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.newscientist.com/article/2257749-superwhite-paint-can-cool-buildings-even-in-hot-sunlight/amp/

I would live to know how to cool our bedroom I've tried everything and nothing works

It doesn't help it's an 'in the loft' design, so the bedroom is in the middle of the rafters with quite high side walls so there is about a 5ft gap either side, which is double insulated (other story) and the walls are clad in thick foam

We have a tiny 50cm window opening that's in a recess so don't think the whole keeping the windows shut then letting in the cold air works.

Houses in hot countries are built different to UK houses no where near as much insulating, so what works for them doesn't work here. My folks lived in Spain and said they were actually quite cold in the winter as their house wasn't insulated

@Oldraver. I think I prefer an old house, cool for spring, summer and autumn. For winter I can make do with a fire, hot water bottle and lots of slippers/jumpers/blankets/cats. Easier to keep warm than to try and cool it down.

@Bargebill19 I do b live my house but this is one sticking issue for it. It was built in 1998 and was an unusual design at the time ( the houses were designed to fit in the site and weren't allowed to be higher than the surrounding bungalows) . Now almost every estate has these rooms in the roof space design. The bedroom/en-suite is 24ft long with a very inadequate 59cm window

@Oldraver that’s does sound very unusual and I can see the appeal. But evidently not that practical. 59cm is tiny!!! I don’t think we could use that as an escape route😳. I’m on a boat and my windows are bigger.