Temperatures in Nottingham and the county are set to hit 39 degrees over the next couple of days with the Met office forecasting record breaking 40 degree temperatures in some parts of the country. Fans and paddling pools are out and everyone seems to have their own tip for keeping cool, which brings us to the debate of should you keep your windows open or closed during hot weather.
How to keeping our homes cool, especially when it comes to sleeping, is certainly a hot topic. It's also an important subject given the Red warning for extreme heat that is currently in place for Notts today, Monday, July 18, and tomorrow, Tuesday, July 19. Penny Endersby, Met Office chief executive, urged people to take care in the heat, saying: “Please treat the warnings we are putting out as seriously as you would a red or amber warning from us for wind or snow and follow the advice".
Staying hydrated is essential, and of course, the usual advice during the summer months of staying out of the sun during peak hours is especially important. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “Heat-health alerts have now been issued to the majority of the country, with temperatures set to remain consistently high throughout the duration of the weekend and the start of next week.
“It is important to keep yourself hydrated and to find shade where possible when UV rays are strongest, between 11am and 3pm. If you have vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, make sure they are aware of how they can keep themselves protected from the warm weather.’’
READ MORE: Live heatwave updates as temperatures to soar in Nottinghamshire
When it comes to cooling down our homes, Manchester Evening News suggested that simple changes to the the property, such as using foil on the windows or opting for lightweight cotton bedding, could make a big difference. But added that while it may seem wise to open up the windows in your house to let a breeze through experts have suggested it may be better to have them shut, at least while the sun is shining.
Chris Nye, overseas property expert at Your Overseas Home argues that windows should be kept closed in very hot weather. "It might seem counterintuitive, but if the air outside is hotter than the air in your home, keeping your windows closed could help your home stay a little cooler," he explained.
Keeping your blinds and curtains closed during the day could also help to keep your house cool. Chris said: "Much of the sunlight that enters your home through the windows turns into heat, so it’s a good idea to keep your curtains and blinds closed, at least during the hottest times of the day. You may even want to opt for blackout curtains to keep windows covered and block the sunlight out completely."
For hay fever sufferers, having your windows closed during the day will also help to keep the pollen out of your home and could alleviate your symptoms.
However, at night time, if it's slightly cooler, it many be best to have your windows open. Dr Lindsay Browning, psychologist and sleep expert at luxury bed and mattress retailer And So To Bed , says a cool breeze through your bedroom could help you get to sleep in the sticky conditions.
"Generally, when it is really hot outside it is a good idea to keep windows closed during the daytime, as you don’t want the hot external air to come into the house warming it up," she explained. "However, after the sun goes down, the outside air will start to cool down. At this point, it is a great idea to open the windows to let in a breeze of cool external air into the bedroom, helping cool the room and to provide needed air circulation."
In a nutshell very hot temperatures, you may find your house stays cooler with the windows firmly closed.
An indoor thermometer can help you determine whether your home is cooler or warmer than the temperature outside. But if temperatures do soar to the high 30s, as predicted, you'll probably find that your home is one of the cooler places to be - so best to try and keep it that way!
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