I think it is fair to say we all felt the struggles during the winter months because of the energy price rises, and although the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) rise for April was postponed, the EPG will rise to £3,000/year in July 2023.

Because the Energy Price Cap from Ofgem is expected to fall below this level in July, households will pay whichever rate is lower from these two.

Now the summer months are fast approaching, we turn our efforts from staying warm to staying cool.

For most people, summer means BBQ’s, days at the beach, or even lounging in your garden and submerging yourself in a paddling pool. But there are sunny days when the harsh heat is not so fun and some of us whack up the Air Con to keep us cool. For many households, Air Conditioning Units are a luxury some people cannot afford, so we have a list of tips to help you stay cool this summer.

Close your curtains and blinds

Keeping your curtains or blinds closed will significantly help keep your home cool. Black Out curtains are a great cost-effective solution to shield your home from that harsh summer sun. Wayfair have plenty of options available.

Stop the heat with tin foil

This may sound bizarre, but we swear by it. A cost-effective solution to keeping a room cool in the summer, especially if the sun is concentrated on that room for most of the day, is to cover the windows with tin foil. It may not look the best, but the tin foil will reflect the heat from the sun and prevent it from heating the room. Be sure to keep the windows shut and close the door. ASDA’s Just Essential foil is just 6p/mtr.

Add ice to your fans

Air Conditioning units come at a cost. A cleverly positioned bowl of ice is all you need. Placing a shallow bowl of ice in front of a fan for an icy-cool breeze will not break you bank.

Choose cotton linen and clothes

Cotton is an excellent breathable summer fabric for keeping you cool in summer. Wear light, loose fitting clothing made of breathable fabric like cotton and fit your bed with cotton linen to keep cool.

Keeping cool a night

Getting a good night’s sleep in the summer can be difficult. Keeping windows and doors shut in the day to keep your room cool is key. Open them in the evening to benefit from the cooler outdoor temperatures. Sleeping downstairs can be a good solution, heat rises so naturally upstairs of the property will be warmer. Swap out your duvet for light cotton linen, or have a cool shower before bed to help lower your temperature.

Exercise in cooler parts of the day

Maintaining your exercise routine is key for your mental health. Limit your physical activity to cooler parts of the day. An early morning run may not thrill us with excitement when we are tucked up in bed catching z’s. But exercising in the midday sun comes with a risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Staying wetter is better

Body heat escapes through the skin so the more skin you can cool down, the better! When the weather is blistering hot, soaking a t-shirt to keep it wet can be very effective. If you do not want to walk around in wet clothes, having a cool (not cold) shower can work just as well. A cold damp cloth on the back of your neck, wrist or ankles will help to cool you down quickly.

Drink plenty of water

Seems obvious, doesn’t it? Symptoms of dehydration include a dry mouth, dizziness or confusion, and headache. Left untreated, dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion. If a person’s condition worsens, call 999. Making sure you drink plenty of water, or consuming isotonic sports drinks can replenish salts and sugars lost through sweat.