5 hot weather essentials you need to keep cool this summer

Fans

We’re big fans of fans. They’re portable, versatile, and great value for money! Whether you’re after a tiny desk fan for your home office days, or a large pedestal fan to cool down a room, it’s a hot weather essential you really can’t be without

However, there’s more to fans than simply letting it run – there are some little tricks you can use to make them work more efficiently.

Point them towards an open window

This might sound a little backwards, but on those days when the air feels stuffy in your home, directing your fan at an open window can help you remove stale, hot air and cool things down a little. Open some other windows in your home to speed this up, especially at night.

Try some ice water

If you find your fan is just blowing hot air around, pop a bowl of ice water in front of it. Hey presto: cool air!

Upgrade your fan game

A simple fan is sometimes all you need for a bit of fresh air, but you may want to consider upgrading to a model with multiple fan speeds, remote control, and a dedicated night mode that runs more quietly for a peaceful night’s sleep.

If you’re struggling to sleep during the hot weather, we’ve got plenty of good ideas in our blog here.

Air Conditioners

Unlike a fan, which moves air around, an air conditioner takes things up a notch by removing warm air and replacing it with cool air, bringing the temperature down in your home and making it much more comfortable!

They’re not as portable as fans and take up more space, but nothing really compares to their efficiency. All you need is somewhere to put the hose so it can blow the hot air outside. We think they’re brilliant for bedrooms, because we all know how uncomfortable it is when you’re trying to sleep in the heat.

There is a higher upfront cost, but if you struggle to stay cool in the heat, an air conditioner is an essential for hot weather.

Blackout curtains and blinds

We know it’s tempting to open all the windows when it’s sunny and hot outside, but did you know you can keep your home cooler by doing the opposite? When it’s really hot, all you’re doing by opening windows is letting hot air warm up your home. Instead, it’s recommended that you keep windows shut and, ideally, keep the harsh sunlight at bay with a set of blackout blinds or curtains.

When the sun goes down and the air cools off, it’s time to open up the windows and let some cool air in. Doing this for your whole home can be a little impractical, though, so try it in your bedroom and see if it’s more bearable once nighttime comes around.

Blackout blinds and curtains aren’t just for hot weather – they’re also great at keeping heat in during winter. A very worthwhile investment!

Pet cooling

Make sure your pets don’t struggle in the heat with some clever hacks to keep them cool. Raised pet beds encourage air flow all around while keeping them off the warm ground, and cooling mats are a brilliant fuss-free way to let your pet chill out. They’re filled with a gel which activates on contact, cooling them down and preventing overheating.

Dogs in particular love a good splash, and a pet paddling pool is just what you need! Don’t forget we’ve got paddling pools for humans too, but don’t expect the dog to care which one they jump into.

We’ve got great ideas like these for pets of all sizes in our blog on keeping pets cool in summer.