Six expert tips to stay cool in hot weather
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- Energy Saving Trust puts a price on the choice between fans and air conditioning: 24 hours of fan use costs 15p–31p, while continuous air conditioning runs £4.84–£6.
- Prof Mike Tipton of the University of Portsmouth warns that using a fan once temperatures exceed 35°C can make things worse, because it simply directs hot air at the body.
- Tipton also cautions against very cold showers, explaining that ice-cold water causes the body to shut down blood flow to the skin, trapping heat inside rather than releasing it.
- Ovens, cookers, washing machines and dishwashers all generate indoor heat, and the article recommends avoiding them during peak temperatures and switching to cold foods like salads.
- Heatstroke is flagged as a medical emergency requiring a 999 call, distinguished from the generally non-serious heat exhaustion, which can be worsened by high indoor humidity.
- Natural fibres such as cotton and linen, along with loose-fitting clothing, are highlighted as helping regulate body temperature — the same reason cotton bed sheets aid sleep in hot rooms.
- London, Manchester and Bristol have set up networks of "cool spaces" in air-conditioned public buildings such as libraries and leisure centres for residents whose homes overheat.
Why it matters: For UK households without air conditioning, the Energy Saving Trust's cost figures (15p–31p for a fan vs £4.84–£6 for AC) make the cooling-economics choice concrete. The most safety-critical detail is Tipton's warning that fans backfire above 35°C and that cold showers can paradoxically trap heat — practical knowledge that could prevent heatstroke on the hottest days.
