Dublin will be heating up this week with scorching temperature set to hit the capital.
A Met Eireann forecast said high pressure will bring "very warm" conditions saying the weekend will see temperatures hit high twenties. They also warned that it will be "uncomfortably warm during the nights too."
While many will be delighted with the warm weather, the alert warns of impacts like “heat stress, especially for the more vulnerable of the population.”
Read more: Odds slashed for Ireland's hottest summer on record with heatwave forecast
So, as the weather sizzles, many people nationwide will be looking for tips to keep cool, without breaking the bank amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Here are top tips on how to keep an Irish house cool in a heatwave:
Close the Blinds
If you have windows that receive direct sunlight at any part of the day, you’ll benefit from keeping the blinds closed or curtains drawn for at least the sunniest part of the day.
For rooms on lower floors, try turning your blinds upwards to prevent rays (and heat) from sneaking through. Venetian blinds help to keep the temperature down by allowing you to adjust the amount of light coming into the room by altering the size of the gap between the slats.
Turn off unused appliances
Like ovens, other appliances around the house will generate unwanted heat into a home over the summer.
Consider turning things like your TV, desktop computer and kitchen appliances off - don't just leave them on standby. This will stop them overheating and warming the rooms they are in.
Read now: Where to buy a cheap fan in Dublin
Check on other equipment like smart speakers and TV casting devices, which might be in direct sunlight for long periods of time and may need to be switched off to prevent overheating.
Put tinfoil on windows
People desperately trying to keep cool have urged others to roll out kitchen foil and spread it in your windows, especially any windows that gets direct sunlight.
Normally, when direct sunlight shines through a window, it magnifies the heat of the sun and makes your house even warmer - this is how greenhouses work to keep plants warm inside.
But foil works by reflecting the sun off the window and sending it back outside instead.
Turn lights off
Light bulbs are another source of heat in homes and should be kept off when trying to cool your house down. Keeping lights off will help to cool your house down – not to mention, it’s more environmentally-friendly and less money will be spent on bills.
Use a fan to cool down a room
A top tip when using fans to cool down is to leave a large bowl of mounded ice in front of it while it's working. This will circulate cooler air around the room and function like a makeshift AC.
If you angle a fan towards a window, they will work to push out the warm air, cooling the room.
Close doors and seal gaps
Close doors to rooms you aren’t using to keep cool air where you need it most. Seal gaps around doors and windows, and use draught excluders to ensure the cool air can’t escape.
Read more: Dublin 8 ice-cream shop has fantastic €1 offer for customers
Keep steam down
Steamy showers, steaming pans, boiling kettles and laundry can also exacerbate a hot and humid home. If you're cooking, keep lids on your pans to keep the steam in.
Leave putting the dishwasher or washing machine on a cycle until the coolest part of the day.
Purchase a cooling pet mat
The summer heat doesn't just affect the human members of your household. Spare a thought for your four-legged friends, especially the fluffy ones.
You can ensure your furry family members have a means of coping with the warmer climes too by investing in cooling mats. Typically filled with a non-toxic gel, their self-cooling designs will ensure your pets stay chilled out all summer.
Read next:
