With scorching temperatures expected across the UK this weekend, it feels like summer is finally here. But the latest heatwave is unlikely to be the last of the season.
Much-hotter-than-usual temperatures across the period until the start of August are seven times more likely than much-cooler-than-average, according to the Met Office.
As such, there's no better time to try out the nation's favourite tricks and tips for keeping cool in the summer. Given the UK's infrastructure is largely designed to trap heat, cooling your home is of particular importance.
Thankfully, there's a bargain tin foil trick everyone can try - once you've visited Tesco, Asda, Aldi and the like.
It goes without saying, kitchen foil is cheap and easy to find - it's available for as little as 65p in Asda - and it will be worth every penny if it makes a difference. But does it work?
What is the tin foil trick?
Simple to use, this trick does what it says on the tin. The hack involves placing foil in your windows in an effort to prevent light from entering your home.
Although it's not particularly easy on the eyes, it's pretty easy to implement. But if you have large windows, you might need to invest in a couple of rolls.
Is it safe to use?
According to the experts over at H2ouse, the DIY hack is perfectly safe.
One of the pros on the team - dedicated to sharing money-saving tips you can use around the home - explained: "The heat of the sun cannot melt the aluminium foil—it is tough enough to handle high oven temperatures, so it can certainly handle the power of summer sunlight. And being exposed to heat will not radiate harmful toxins into your house when it's exposed to sun and heat, either."
Does it work?
Well, yes and no. Allison at H2ouse explained: "As far as keeping the heat out of a home, there's no proof that aluminium foil on its own is particularly effective at this task.
"Sure, it will reflect some light away, preventing it from entering the home. However, the foil itself does heat up over time, so the extra heat isn't necessarily all bouncing away into the air. Some of it is still getting inside."
But that's not to say it doesn't make a difference. When Leeds Live's Alex Evans tested the trick in his home he was amazed by the results.
Using a thermometer, he found the temperature in the upstairs room with covered windows dropped several degrees lower than that of an unfoiled room downstairs. What's more, he felt the difference.
Sharing his experience, Alex revealed: "I walked into this room at about midday and honestly, it was an amazing difference. No lie, it's definitely the coolest part of the house."
Although he found the foil covers looked unsightly, Alex dubbed the experiment a 'huge win' - impressed to find the test room 'much cooler' than it would have been had he not taken any precautionary measures.
Summing up the trick, the reviewer said: "It looks like an unsightly crack den but it really does keep a house cooler in a heatwave, and all it costs is 68p and some dignity in your neighbours' eyes."
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