Here we go again; yet another scorcher of a weekend! And while we never take the sun for granted here in the UK, things can admittedly turn stuffy at home. Temperatures will reach 32 by Friday, settling at about 30 over the weekend, by which point we will be subdued on our beds, surviving on nothing but ice cream and frozen Margaritas. It’s not the worst scenario, but still you need to ask yourself – is your home set for the heat?
Unprotected, our homes can struggle in a heatwave, with appliances breaking down, plants wilting, and internal temperatures reaching stifling levels. The good news is there’s still time to make a few changes before the damage is done and you’re left sobbing over a broken freezer. So before the weekend arrives, check off the following 6 hacks and see what a difference they can make.
1. Shut a sheet of paper in your freezer door
It’s all well and good freezing what we can to keep the heat at bay. Maybe you’re freezing a hot water bottle to keep yourself chilled at night, or even a large bottle of water to create your own DIY air conditioner; I’ve done this, and it really does work.
But, if your freezer isn’t sealing properly and you’re loading it up to the brink, you’re going to be wasting a huge amount of energy. And given that temperatures are set to be so high over the weekend, your freezer is going to have to work harder than ever. There couldn’t be a worse time for it to break down!
There’s an easy way to check your freezer’s seal: close a sheet of paper in your freezer door (half-in, half-out) and then give it a tug to see if it holds. If it holds, you’re good, but if it comes free easily, you need to replace the seal as soon as you can.
2. Stick tin foil to your windows
When the sun streams into our homes, the internal temperature rises with it. That’s why it’s best to keep curtains and blinds closed during the day and then open at night, along with the windows, to let fresh air in and cool our homes.
If you don’t like having your curtains shut during the day, there is another option. Window film exists which reflects the sun’s UV rays and the heat away from your windows. You can apply it yourself and it acts as a privacy solution too.
If you want something more temporary and you don’t mind what the neighbours will think, you can even apply tin foil to the outside of your windows for a similar effect (shiny side facing outwards). It’s important to make sure it’s on the outside so the heat won’t reflect back and damage the glass on your windows. Keep the curtains open when using foil as well, so the room won’t overheat.
3. Stock up on water and cold foods
It may sound like common sense, but it needs to be mentioned. Make sure you’ve got a good supply of water and cold foods throughout the heatwave. Consider if you’d have enough if the water stops running in your home. And keep a few bottles in the car too in case of emergencies.
To keep yourself hydrated, opt for foods which contain a high water content, such as cucumber and watermelon. And if you have one, switch from the oven to the air fryer to limit the amount of heat released in your home.
4. Bring potted plants indoors
If you’re a keen gardener, you will already know how much of a struggle the last few weeks has been for your plants. The weekend is only going to make things worse (especially for those you haven’t moved out of the greenhouse yet), so be prepared to move potted plants to a cooler space.
This might be in your home (out of direct sunlight) or it could be in your garage or even in a shady corner of your patio (to avoid hot winds). Just remember to keep your plants hydrated by watering the roots first thing in the morning, and watch the sun doesn’t scorch the leaves.
5. Know what to wear
While this one isn’t so much homes related, it can still make a big difference to you during a heatwave. Watch what you wear – not in terms of your outfit, but in terms of the material. Natural materials are much more breathable than synthetic, so aim to wear linens and cottons rather than polyester.
Look for loose fitting items too so they won’t stick to you and absorb sweat, and end up rubbing. Apply this to your sheets and pyjamas too for a comfortable night’s sleep.
6. Invest in an air cooler
You might think a tower fan is all you need to beat the heat, but have you tried an air cooler yet? These revolutionary appliances act as an alternative to an AC unit, but without the steep energy costs or the ventilation. They work by drawing in warm air and passing it over cold water, which then cools the air as the water evaporates.
It’s an effective way to cool a room, working in the same way as placing a bottle of ice water in front of a fan, but lasting much longer! Not sure which one to invest in? The GHI has tested a range of air coolers to find the best for you, taking everything from energy consumption to oscillation into account. And of course, how quickly and effectively it can cool a room. Check out the winners here:
The GHI's best air coolers 2025
This cooler impressed in tests by lowering room temperature by 5.2°C in 30 minutes, with a responsive touchscreen, multiple modes, 24 fan settings, and convenient features like ice packs and a detachable water tank.
This air cooler delivered the best cooling performance in our tests, reducing room temperature by 6.4°C in 30 minutes, with stable operation, thorough instructions, and useful modes like a natural wind setting and sleep mode.
This model cooled the room by 6°C in 30 minutes and was easy to use, with 180-degree oscillation, clear instructions, and low energy variation between settings.
This compact, lightweight air cooler impressed with its easy top-fill water tank, low energy use, and strong cooling performance, reducing room temperature by 5.2°C in 30 minutes. Ideal for desks or bedside use, it also features four fan speeds and a soothing LED night light.
