Keeping Cool and Well in Summer
Severe heat is dangerous to everyone. During a heatwave, when temperatures remain abnormally high over more than a couple of days, it can prove fatal.
Vulnerable Groups
Some people run a greater risk of serious harm. These include:
- Older age: especially women over 75 years old, or those living on their own and who are socially isolated, or in a care home
- Babies and young children
- Those with serious mental health problems
- People on certain medication
- Those with serious chronic health conditions, particularly breathing or heart problems
- People with mobility problems
- Environmental factors and overexposure: living in a top floor flat, being homeless, activities or jobs that are in hot places or outdoors and include high levels of physical exertion
What can be done in the home to help?
Create a ‘Through-Draught’
Generate a cool draught by opening downstairs windows that are in the shade, and upstairs windows that are in the Sun. As hot air rises, sunny rooms upstairs will be warmer than those that are downstairs in the shade. This creates a pressure difference, and by strategically opening windows in these rooms you will create a breeze that draws in cool, fresh air from downstairs and forces warm air out of the house. You can also open windows on opposing sides of the house to create a cross draught if you live in a single storey property.
Close your blinds and curtains
Shutting your blinds and curtains during the day will help block out the sun's heat. Hanging curtains made from thermal fabrics will also help reflect the heat out during summer and keep heat in during winter.
Open the windows at night
If it is safe for you to do so (those not living in ground floor flats, or in bungalows), leaving windows open at night will allow for the cooler night air to reduce the temperature in your property and help you to get a good night’s sleep.
Turn off Appliances
Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment (e.g. your computer) when you are not using them. Switch to LED light bulbs as they give out less heat. Turn off your TV and power adaptors rather than leaving them on standby, as they give out a lot of heat, waste energy and increase electricity bills.
Dry clothes outside
Take advantage of the heat by drying clothes outside on a washing line or clothes horse.
Use a thermometer
Place a thermometer in your main living room and bedroom to keep a check on the temperature.
Just cool the room you are in
If you have to use a fan or air conditioning unit, you will save lots of energy and money on your electricity bill if you just cool the room that you are in. Shut the doors to this room. Draught proofing windows and door ways is a cheap and easy way to keep the room cool in summer and to keep the heat in during winter.
**Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation**
Installing cavity wall insulation will not only help less heat will escape during the cold winter months to keep you warm, but also act in reverse in the warm summer months to help keep the heat out and keep your home cool. Insulation will save you money all year round and is a relatively cheap and an easy home improvement to get installed.
**Boiler Upgrade**
Upgrading your heating system and heating controls, as well as insulating any exposed hot water pipes will ensure you are heating your home efficiently and effectively (including not creating any excess heat during summer for hot water). Save money and take control of your household energy. If you, or a member of your family living in the same household, are receiving certain means tested benefits, you may qualify for government funding to replace your boiler. Call Action Surrey on 0800 783 2503 or visit www.actionsurrey.org/boilers/hhcro.
Call Action Surrey for free on 0800 783 2503 or visit www.actionsurrey.org and one of our experienced and trusted installers will be happy to arrange a convenient appointment to discuss your requirements.
Sources:
Heatwave plan for England 2013, Protecting Health and Reducing Harm From Severe Heat and Heatwaves, Public Health England
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/216527/dh_134153.pdf