Bedrooms Like Ovens

[sandyRoe]

People are worried about heating their homes this coming winter. That's not a problem just now. How can you cool a house?

[naomi24]

Don’t let the heat in. Close your curtains and blinds during the day as they do abroad.

[pastafreak]

Keep curtains and windows closed until dark...supposedly keeps heat out. That's the cheapest way.
All other methods probably require expensive electrical items.
We'll be needing AC in this country if this continues.

[Canary42]

How can you cool a house ? For a day or two, judicious use of curtains and windows. The problem in a sustained heat wave is that brick walls act as quite efficient storage heaters and release the heat from solar gain during the day into the house overnight.

[Buenchico]

As others have suggested, the trick is to leave your curtains open at night (as far as is possible, without getting yourself arrested for indecent exposure of course!) and your windows too.

Then, in the morning, when your bedroom has cooled down, remember to close your curtains, to keep the sun's rays out.

[nailit]

Ask WHY people are having to do this.
Not HOW???

[nailit]

Energy companies making millions
(If not Billions)

[naomi24]

I don’t think they can do much about the sun, nailit.

[Atheist]

If the outside air temp is lower than the internal air temp, then leave windows open (night or day). Curtains won't make much difference. Unfortunately, bats or flies or mosquitoes would be able to fly in at night so mesh screens would be needed. Definitely keep the sun out during the day, by closing external shutters if you have them. Drawing curtains still lets the sun's heat into the room and once it's in it stays in, as a hot room can't re-radiate infra-red back through the glass.

[naomi24]

Atheist, drawing curtains keeps the heat out - that’s why people in the Mediterranean countries do it. You need to keep the air flowing too though by opening windows and doors.

[nailit]

//I don’t think they can do much about the sun, nailit.//
Couldnt do much about the sun during the 1976 heatwave either....
But prices werent through the roof then either....
What changed?

[fiveleaves]

An extreme solution is practised by the people of Coober Pedy in Australia where they live mostly underground during the hottest months of the year

[naomi24]

Fiveleaves, I’ve stayed in hotels abroad where the walls were about 2ft thick and the rooms have no windows at all. Wonderfully cool!

[tiggerblue10]

I've got an Xpelair fan which is great at night and has a remote control. The lowest setting is quieter than other fans and you can set a timer on it too.

[Paigntonian]

Nailit: The question was how to cool your house. It has nothing whatsoever to do with energy companies.

[nailit]

//Nailit: The question was how to cool your house. It has nothing whatsoever to do with energy companies//

My mistake.
Just a side question to think about. ;-)

[Prudie]

I can understand why people might be worrying about staying warm in winter and anger at profits for the energy companies but don't see any connection with this heatwave and how to keep cool and that. It's not lack of money that's making us too hot indoors.

[New Judge]

//We'll be needing AC in this country if this continues.//

Don't be silly, pasta. We've had, at most seven or eight exceptionally hot days. Other than that, we've had a good summer, a bit on the dry side but otherwise unremarkable. It's going to cool down next week and it's unlikely any more exceptional temperatures will occur this summer.

A/C in this country is a complete waste of money. Open your windows, invest in a decent fan and enjoy the warmth. In a couple of months we'll all be moaning that it's cold, wet and windy.

Meanwhile the water companies need to get their backsides into gear and concentrate on supplying water when and where it's needed.

[-SharonA-]

Pity we cannot bottle this heat. It would come in handy during the cold winter months.

[pastafreak]

Note to self...stop being silly

[Barmaid]

Our house is not too bad. Modern houses are built to keep heat in. Old houses just seem to have been built. We do keep our windows and curtains closed during the day and once it gets cool in the evening we open every door and window - if there is a breeze its lovely. But it never seems too warm in here. Although I have not ventured into the attic room which I imagine will be sauna like.

My pantry amazes me. It is very cool indeed - even in this heat. I'd sit in there were it not for the fact that there are some really big spiders in there.