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.

Read More: Council issues red alert as temperatures soar up to 39°C

Keep the windows closed

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! 

Read More: This Leeds cinema is offering gingers free tickets to escape the heatwave

Keep doors to unused rooms closed

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. 

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. 

Read More: Train cancellations, school closures and Met Office advice: everything you need to know about Leeds’ heatwave

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