DH won’t believe that we should keep the windows closed

[ThatLassFromLeeds]

With the heatwave predicted, DH and I have come back to our annual argument about keeping the house cool.

I think that once the air outside is hotter than you want your house to be, you should close the windows. I also keep the curtains closed when the sun is shining on the windows.

DH insists that you keep the house cool by having the windows and curtains open.

He says the air coming in cools the house down. I say that it feels cool because it’s moving when it touches your skin, but after a certain point it’s actually hotter than the air in the house.

He insists on doing it his way, and the house is always boiling. One day recently was really hot and I closed the curtains before going out for the day; when we came back it was nice and cool inside, but DH still won’t believe me that that was why. He says my way just doesn’t make sense.

What would you do? Is this the hill I need to die on?

I would rather have some airflow than have it a degree or two cooler but feeling much stuffier.

You are right, he is wrong.

Ask him to measure the temp outside and then in your cool lounge, and then ask if he wants to let all that hot air in because that is all that he will be doing!

Op I get your point and you are right.

cooler air into house over night. Then shut it up to trap it inside. Then run a rotating fan for breeze.

any open window, shady side or not will equal the warm air rushing in, heating the house.

BUT you have to start this process be for the heat wave lands… and it only goes so far.
by end of Thurs it probably won’t make a difference but it’s good whilst it
lasts.

I keep hearing this and I understand the theory, but our house was shut up with the curtains closed all day yesterday, as we were out.

DS has been home today, so I opened all the windows (leaving curtains closed) before I went to work.

The house is significantly cooler now than it was when we got back at at 10pm last night, despite it being a much warmer day today.

I keep the windows open and the blinds / curtains closed. Only becos sometimes it's very hot but there's a cool breeze, today its 28 now but there's a cool breeze coming in the windows

My windows are open all year round but in heat I close the curtains.

https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/heatwaves-uk/advice-and-tips/keep-home-cool

There you, the BRC say it, he can't argue with them!

I think you have some womansplaining to do!

The aircon hose pushes out hot air, it doesn't pull air into the room. The science says that means the 'missing' air comes in from outside, otherwise you'd eventually have no air in your room.

American aircon have 2 hoses for this purpose, so they bring in outside air, cool it and thrive hot air back out. We don't have those in the UK but reddit is full of DIY versions.

My aircon still makes a difference though. Highly recommend if anyone can afford it, I wheel it round the house when I'm sleeping, working, watching TV, etc.

I had the curtains closed in the sunniest rooms. It keep the windows open as I hate it being stuffy, it seems to work okay.

Yep.

My DP doesn't understand fans. He leaves a fan on to cool a room down all day while he's out. I try to explain but he doesn't believe me and gets cross.

Closed

Definitely curtains closed, so the sun can't heat up the room.

Does he understand what a "fire risk" is?!

Closed all mine at 11am it’s 24.5° in my house at 4pm not 32° current outside temp

I prefer to have the curtains shut at night (otherwise the light comes in at 4 am!) but I've left the blinds shut now in all rooms and in the rooms I'm not sleeping in they will be open at night.
I'm currently staying in my mum's house while she's in hospital but nobody will be there for a few nights so I'll leave all curtains shut and windows ditto.

This is like something DH would do!

I can't sit in a room with the windows and curtains closed in summer!

I'd rather sit in a warmer room than in a dark stuffy room.

YABU. I've just been at work in a large hall where we have no windows except skylights so nothing open. It's at least a double storey room and huge so it's very 'airy' but it was roasting this pm. In the afternoon we tried to go outside and it was actually much cooler than inside , very lovely in the shade, breezy and so so much more pleasant!

You're right.

We keep windows and curtains closed during the day and then open them when outside cools a bit.

It never seems to make much difference in our house. It's probably slightly cooler with the windows and curtains closed but not much.

All my windows are closed as well as the blinds.

I popped outside to take out the recycling and nearly fell over 😂 The heat! Came back inside and then I realised how cool my house is.

Tell your husband he's talking rubbish! Why does he think caves are cool on hot days? Darkness and no windows!!

You are correct. Keep windows closed and curtains on sunny side closed during the day.
Only exception if there is a good breeze -
but then it’s a decision to be made - it might be nice and cooling while it’s breezy, but if it stops, you have a house full of hot air.

@ThatLassFromLeeds
Once you have woman-splained and shown him all the links, ask him if a greenhouse has the door open, and upper windows prised open for airflow ….. Will it be hot or cold in the greenhouse ?