Another UK heatwave is hitting this week. While it won’t be as hot as the last one we experience, temperatures are expected to get up to 32° so unsurprisingly, many people will be looking for ways to keep cool in the heatwave.
I don’t know about you, but the thing I hated the most about the last heatwave was how hot my house was. While sitting in front of a fan was effective at cooling me down, the overall temperature in my house was almost unbearable, so I decided to look into ways to solve this problem.
It turns out that many of the appliances around my house – and yours – generate a lot of heat and are actually making your house hotter. So, to help you manage this week’s heatwave, here are five appliances in your home that you should switch off to keep your home cooler.
Before I get into the list, it’s worth keeping in mind that if you’re not using an appliance, you should completely switch them off. Appliances on standby still use a small amount of electricity and they emit heat, so turning them off from the outlet can help manage the heat in your home.
1. Ovens and hobs
Cooking in a heatwave is extremely uncomfortable, as the heat from your appliances can feel intense alongside the outside weather. Ovens and hobs are the main examples of cooking appliances that produce a large amount of heat and hold on to residual heat for longer, and therefore, warm up your home.
If you can, try to avoid using your oven or hob during a heatwave. This will undoubtedly be tricky for some, so check out these 5 ways to cook in a heatwave when it’s too hot to cook for guidance.
2. Kettles
Many will switch hot cups of tea and coffee to iced versions during a heatwave. However, I like drinking hot drinks even in hot temperatures, so if you’re like me, you’re probably still using your kettle every morning. But as you might expect, your kettle is an appliance that adds to the heat of your home.
As it boils water, kettles use an intense amount of heat and electricity. As steam comes out the spout, this increases the heat in the air. Many of today’s kettles also have digital displays which generate more heat, so switching to an iced tea or coffee and turning off the kettle can prevent that.
3. Gaming consoles
Unless you’re a hardcore gamer or stream as part of your job, it’s unlikely that you use your gaming console throughout the day. When you’re not using it, be sure to turn it off – as well as your TV or streaming box – as they produce a consistent amount of heat, even in standby.
4. Chargers
My phone got intensely hot during the last heatwave, especially when it was on charge. Chargers of all kinds – phone, laptop and even adapters – expel a huge amount of heat, and they can even be hot to the touch. When not in use, make sure to remove them from an outlet as they will remain hot and generate heat and electricity. Not only does this make your home hot but it’s also a waste as you’re not charging anything.
5. Tumble dryer
Using a tumble dryer when the weather is hot might sound ridiculous but I’ve had to resort to this as I don’t have a washing line or clothes horse. I’ve definitely noticed on the days when I use my tumble dryer that the spot it's in in my house is much hotter. They produce a lot of heat and are energy guzzlers so if you can, avoid using your tumble dryer in the heatwave.
