We'll be needing each and every one of these tips today.
With temperatures set to break the highest on record in the UK in Leeds today, reaching 39 degrees and a scorching 41 across Yorkshire, if there was ever a time to be preparing your home to stay cool, this would be it.
Those who have spent time abroad where temperatures like this are more frequent are experts in keeping their homes as cool as possible, so overseas property experts from YourOverseasHome.com have compiled a list of ten ways that we can keep ourselves and our homes from melting in the heat.
Keep reading to find out what they recommend you change in your home to keep cool over the coming days.
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.
Keep curtains and blinds closed
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.
Manage the humidity
While dehumidifiers won’t necessarily reduce room temperature, they can help control the sticky, thick air that makes hot days even more uncomfortable. Humidity decreases the rate at which our sweat evaporates, making us feel much hotter and sweatier, so investing in a dehumidifier can make your home a bit more comfortable during the hottest and most humid days.
Use large appliances at night
Large appliances can give off significant amounts of heat, so try not to use them on the hottest days if possible. Instead, pop washing machines and dishwashers on overnight instead. This will also help save some money on electricity bills - it’s a win-win scenario!
If you spend most of your time in one room, consider closing the doors to the rooms you don’t use as often - like bedrooms and bathrooms. Closing off parts of the house can help keep the cooler air concentrated in a single area, and means the room you’re using the most will cool down faster - and stay cool.
Swap out incandescent lights
Incandescent light bulbs waste a huge amount of their energy in the heat they emit, so if you’re trying to cool a room down without AC, small shifts like switching to compact fluorescent lamps can have a surprisingly significant impact, while also lowering your energy bill.
Consider fan placement
Fans only keep air moving around, rather than actually cooling the air itself, so make sure you’re setting them up in the best locations. It’s best to place them next to open windows at night or in hallways so that they draw in cooler air to the warmer areas.
Image: Unsplash
Opt for cotton sheets
Textiles like flannel sheets and fleece blankets are fantastic for insulation, but cotton is a far smarter choice at this time of year as it ‘breathes’ easier and stays cooler. If you really want to up the ante, pop your sheets in a carrier bag in the fridge an hour or two before you go to bed, so that they’re nice and cool for you to sleep on.
Keep your extractor fans running
Turning on the extractor fans in your bathroom and kitchen can help pull the hot air that rises after you cook or take a steamy shower out of your home.
Unplug any electrical appliances that you’re not using
Plugged in electronics generate heat even when they’re off or not in use, which can make an already hot home even hotter. Unplug things like toasters, kettles, TVs and device chargers when you’re not using them.
One of West Yorkshire's biggest live music events , Leeds Festival, has announced its second wave of artists including a Skepta DJ set.
Back in December, Leeds Festival announced some impressive acts would be headlining like Fontaines D.C., Florence and the Machine, Charli xcx, Raye, Dave, and Chase & Status.
Leeds Festival 2026 also marks the first time this live music extended-weekender will have a Thursday night headliner courtesy of rock band Kasabian.
Alongside the stellar headliners, this year's line-up also sees Skepta, Sombr, Skye Newman, Role Model, Kneecap and more major acts performing next August.
Leeds Festival 2026 announces second wave of artists with over 60 new names / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Now, Leeds Festival has dropped its second wave of artists with over 60 names that are just as hard-hitting and extraordinary as the previously mentioned music moguls.
Headliner RAYE is making her Leeds Festival headline slot a family affair by bringing along her amazing sisters along for the ride too as Amma and Absolutely are now playing sets.
Violet Grohl, the eldest daughter of Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl, is making her first ever festival appearance and bringing her alternative-indie sound to Leeds.
Skepta announced for a b2b set and Violet Grohl makes festival performance debut / Credit: @henrygoodfell0w / Press Shot via supplied
Get ready for Cruz Beckham and The Breakers to step out for a set like no other too, as they prepare a performance all 'for your love' and attention.
There's even a brand-new stage titled The Warehouse which will act as the home for all things dance music, with exclusive b2b sets, DJ performances and a club-like experience.
The acts taking to this stage include Skepta b2b with East End Dubs, Omar +, Bou, Hedex, Rossi, Mall Grab and lots more.
More artists ready to wow the Bramham Park crowd include Arthur Hill, The Lathums, Duke Dumont, Slayyyter, The K's, Paris Paloma, Holly Humberstone and more.
Leeds Festival is taking place from 27 August to 30 August at Bramham Park and to find a full line-up HERE.
If you're after getting your hands on tickets for one of West Yorkshire's biggest festivals when it returns this August, you can do so HERE.
Featured Images - Press shots via Georgina Hurdsfield (Supplied)
Trending
TV presenter’s rant pointing out double-standard over Sheffield Wednesday punishment goes viral
Danny Jones
A TV presenter and Sheffield Wednesday supporter's speech about the perceived double standard concerning another pending points deduction at her club compared to the punishment of Premier League clubs is trending online.
Many believe she's pretty bang on the money, to be fair.
Wednesdayite Sophy Ridge, who hosts a regular Sky News show with fellow presenter Wilfred Frost, recently took the opportunity to indulge in some understandable fan frustration during a show this week.
Admittedly, getting on her soapbox a bit - and for good reason - the Richmond-born Owls fan simply shed light on the contradictory nature of Sheffield Wednesday's penalty set for the next season over financial violations when compared to top-flight offenders.
Went on a bit of a rant on telly comparing how Chelsea & Sheffield Wednesday have been dealt with#swfc
Citing both Manchester City (with their estimated 115-130 charges still no closer to being resolved) and now Chelsea as being the most recently accused of breaking regulations, she argued that there's a significant difference between penalties teams are being slapped with - or in some cases, still avoiding.
For instance, while the Man City saga first broke back in February 2023 and relates to alleged breaches dating all the way back to 2009, they are yet to be confirmed as guilty, at least not in any public announcement.
As for the West London club, Chelsea have only just been hit with a fine, albeit a Premier League record sum of approximately £10.75 million, as well as a 12-month transfer ban, though it has already been suspended for two years.
This is due to them having made undisclosed payments to agents, players and various other individuals during the Roman Abramovich ownership era.
Meanwhile, for anyone who hasn't been following the huge furore among the long-suffering Sheffield fanbase, Wednesday fans, players, and footballing staff are the ones being penalised for what many believe is nothing more than 'improper' and 'irresponsible' management of the club at an executive level.
For context, they are currently set to start the next 2026/27 campaign in the EFL's third tier with a 15-point handicap, which could very well spell yet another disaster year, with Ridge adding: "How attractive is that [a club sale] going to be for an owner that might be looking at back-to-back relegations?"
Sadly, it seems that its matchgoers and other die-hards are the ones set to pay the price this time, as they often have been; according to the sports journalist, that's often the case further down the pyramid.
For instance, Todd Boehly's Chelsea organisation seem to have been let off the hook regarding any setback in the standings due to their cooperation with the profit and sustainability (PSR) investigation, and because their offence pre-dates the modern PSR guidelines era.
In fact, Chelsea were actually said to have voluntarilyreported themselves regarding historic offences within youth football, which also seems to have afforded them some leniency.
Put simply, she believes it's unfair for the soon-to-be League One side to face such harsh terms and a fee just a few million shy of the figure they've been told they 'must' pay outgoing owners, Dejphon Chansiri, while Chelsea face "no sanctions despite the fact this [illegal spending] clearly would have given them a sporting advantage" in the past.
What do you make of the whole saga, and do you think there's a difference in how so-called 'bigger' clubs are treated compared to those in lower divisions?
Sophie Smith -
19th July 2022 
