Should you keep windows open or closed as heatwave hits nation (2024)

Derbyshire is preparing itself for the hottest day of the year, and these unprecedented temperatures mean that people in the county are looking for simple ways to keep their homes cool. If you're working from home today and aren't blessed with a breeze from an office aircon, the almost 40-degree heat has likely got you looking for some quick, simple and cheap solutions to keeping cool.

The UK is currently facing its first-ever read warning for extreme heat, which covers the majority of Derbyshire, Met Office chief executive Penny Endersby has asked people to take care and listen to the agency's advice. “Please treat the warnings we are putting out as seriously as you would a red or amber warning from us for wind or snow and follow the advice," she said.

Brits are being strongly advised to stay hydrated, check up on vulnerable people, stay out of the sun during peak hours and do everything they can to keep their homes cool during the heatwave. While some may be turning to fans, air conditioners and paddling pools to cool off, others are opting for cheaper options during the cost of living crisis, reports Manchester Evening News.

Simple changes to your home, such as using foil on the windows or opting for lightweight cotton bedding, could make a big difference. But when it comes to windows, should they be open or closed during the hot spell?

It may seem wise to open up the windows in your house to let a breeze through your home. But experts have suggested it may be better to have them shut, at least while the sun is shining.

Chris Nye, overseas property expert at Your Overseas Home argues that windows should remain closed in very hot weather. "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," he explained. Keeping your blinds and curtains closed during the day could also help to keep your house cool. Chris said: "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."

For hay fever sufferers, having your windows closed during the day will also help to keep the pollen out of your home and could alleviate your symptoms.

However, at night time, if it's slightly cooler, it may be best to have your windows open. Dr Lindsay Browning, psychologist and sleep expert at the luxury bed and mattress retailer And So To Bed, says a cool breeze through your bedroom could help you get to sleep in sticky conditions.

"Generally, when it is really hot outside it is a good idea to keep windows closed during the daytime, as you don’t want the hot external air to come into the house warming it up," she explained. "However, after the sun goes down, the outside air will start to cool down. At this point, it is a great idea to open the windows to let in a breeze of cool external air into the bedroom, helping cool the room and to provide needed air circulation."