This quick trick can have a big impact
Households up and down the UK are being encouraged to place bowls of water on their windowsills on Monday, as temperatures of 33C are expected.
The Met Office is predicting glorious sunshine over the spring bank holiday weekend, with the heatwave set to reach its peak on Monday, with mercury climbing to 33C across southern England and the Midlands. The scorching temperatures will be accompanied by dry and sunny conditions throughout much of the UK, though some cloud and showers remain possible across parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The all-time May temperature record currently stands at 32.8C, which was reached in Camden Square on May 22, 1922, and then Horsham, Tunbridge Wells and Regent’s Park on May 29, 1944, and forecasters expect this milestone to be broken on Monday.
With such exceptional heat on the way, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature can prove challenging, potentially leading to a restless and sweaty night’s sleep in the stifling conditions. The vast majority of British homes are built to retain warmth, and if you’re not fortunate enough to have air conditioning, bringing the temperature down swiftly is frequently easier said than done.
Fortunately, there is a remarkably straightforward and budget-friendly fix to combat this issue, requiring nothing more than a bowl and some cold water.
Energy specialists advise positioning bowls of cold water throughout your home, such as on windowsills or worktops, during spells of hot weather, as this can prove surprisingly efficient at cooling down warm air. A bowl of water – or ice cubes if you have them to hand – can assist in cooling a room, as the water draws in heat from the surrounding air and converts it into vapour, subsequently reducing the overall temperature inside your home, reports the Express.
LEAP Energy Advice said: “Although it may seem peculiar, placing bowls of water around the house can aid in cooling the hot air. This simple technique can be surprisingly effective.!
This method of cooling is especially effective when the bowl of water, or ice, is placed near an open window or in front of a fan as the breeze helps to circulate cold air into your home.
LEAP added: “This cooling method works particularly well when the bowl of water, or ice, is positioned near an open window or in front of a fan, as the airflow helps to circulate cooler air throughout your home.
“If you need to cool down quickly, try placing a bowl of ice and cold water in front of your fan’s blades.
“This will cause the air blowing from the fan to pass over the icy water, creating a refreshing sensation on your skin. It’s like having a homemade, DIY air-conditioner!”
Pairing a fan with a bowl of water isn’t strictly necessary, as the water alone can help bring the temperature down, but you’ll achieve far better results by getting that airflow going too.
Naturally, running a fan will have some effect on your energy bills, though it’s a mere fraction of the expense compared to operating an air conditioning unit, which can cost up to 40 times more – making the prospect of a gloriously cool room well worth it.
The tip is endorsed by major energy supplier British Gas as an affordable means of keeping both your home and yourself cool when the mercury rises. British Gas said: “While fans aren’t the most expensive appliance to run, using one is still likely to impact your fuel bills – but there are some things you can do to get the most out of the energy you’re paying for.
“To really cool down a room with a fan, place a deep dish of ice in the front of it to whip up the water mist and chill the breeze. You can also point a box fan out of an open window in the evenings – this pushes the hot air out instead of just blowing it around the room.”
