If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen – although the bedroom’s not much better. With this latest heatwave, temperatures are hovering around 25 to 30 degrees – and we’re certainly feeling the effects of it at home.
The bedroom, in particular, feels unbearable, especially at night when we’re trying our best to sleep. It seems no matter how many fans are directed at us, or how thin a duvet we use (that’s if we even bother), there’s no rest for the sticky.
But, it doesn’t have to be this way! There are things you can do and habits you can change to lower the temperature in your bedroom. We’re not saying it’ll be the equivalent of air con, but you can certainly make things more comfortable. Here’s how you can take control of the temperature in your bedroom.
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1. Block out the sun
The sun feels glorious at the start of summer, but then by August, we might as well be vampires, hissing from the shadows. The sun’s rays heat up our home as they stream in through the windows. So as lovely as it is to fling open the curtains first thing, you’re better off leaving them closed while the sun’s in full view. Otherwise you’re essentially pre-heating your bedroom for a restless night ahead.
The same goes for your blinds. If you find your blinds are still letting in sunlight or even just glare between the gaps, direct them upwards rather than downwards so the heat is directed at the ceiling instead of your bed.
If you want to reflect the heat, you can stick tinfoil to the outside of your windows to reflect the rays away from your bedroom (shiny side facing outwards and leave curtains open if you do this). Or for a more inconspicuous look, there is window film available to do the same. Recent studies have also found yogurt can cool temperatures indoors when applied to the outside of windows, but we wouldn’t recommend that for many reasons – least of all the smell!
2. Open windows at night
While it seems logical to open your windows during the day to let in a breeze – it’s actually counterproductive. Going back to basics, it’s generally hotter outside during the day than it is at night. So, the night is the best chance you have at cooling your bedroom. During the day, you just be releasing all your nice cool air!
So as a general rule, it’s better to open your windows (and curtains/blinds) during the night, so you can take full advantage of the cooler conditions, and then closed during the day, so you can lock in your temperature. Ideally, you should only have your windows open when you know it’s cooler or a similar temperature outside.
GHI Tip: If you want to intensify the effect, hang a damp bedsheet in front of your open window at night; this will help to cool the breeze.
3. Create a cross breeze
Want to speed up the process? You can cool your bedroom faster at night if you create a cross breeze between open windows. You will need two windows on opposite sides of the room for this to work, as well as two fans to direct the air flow.
First of all, check the natural direction of the wind before you do anything; you want to work with it rather than against it. Then position one fan facing into the room in front of the window where the breeze enters the room. This should push the breeze further into your room and emphasise its effect. The other fan should face outwards across the room from the other window, helping to direct the breeze back out again.
In doing this, you’ve got a regular cooling breeze running through the room, helping to regulate the temperature with what’s outside. As a bonus, such a breeze will put off mosquitoes from biting in the night!
4. Change over your bedding
We mentioned the duvet (or lack thereof) in the intro. If you haven’t already switched over to a summer duvet, this should be a priority. Aim for a low tog (4.5 or lower) and a breathable filling with natural fibres, such as wool, to help you sleep. The GHI has run extensive tests to find the best summer duvets to help you make the best choice. There are also all-season duvets if you don’t want to store both a winter and summer duvet.
Make sure your sheets are breathable, too; look out for linen and cotton designs. Linen will help to regulate your temperature and wick away sweat. Polyester, on the other hand, will lock in the heat and contribute to night sweats. This premise should be extended to your pyjamas, too. Speaking of which, here are the best cooling pyjamas.
5. Shower before you sleep
While this won’t cool the room, showering at night can help you to sleep.
According to Sarah Maber, health editor at GH: ‘An icy shower might be tempting in the heatwave – but to help you drop off, set the temperature to tepid – it might sound counter-intuitive, but a cold shower can actually cause your body to generate more heat as a response.’
We recently spoke to Dr Maja Schaedel, clinical psychologist and co-founder and director of the Good Sleep Clinic. As she recited her wind down routine, she said: ‘If my feet are chilly, I’ll run a warm two-inch bath and dunk my feet in. This draws heat away from the core and helps lower your body temperature, which should drop by one to two degrees during the night.’
6. Check ceiling fans are rotating counterclockwise
If you’re lucky enough to own a ceiling fan, it’s worth taking a moment to check its direction is set to ‘summer’.
You read that right, ceiling fans have a better direction for summer and winter. When they’re rotating clockwise, they’re pulling the air up and distributing it around the room (better for winter). And when they’re counterclockwise it’s blowing the air down and out, increasing the breeze (ideal for summer).
If you need to change its direction, there’s usually a small switch located on the centre housing of the fan. Switch off the fan, then flick the switch before starting it up again.
7. Switch off lights and appliances when not in use
When switched on, your light bulbs will be contributing to the heat – especially brighter incandescent bulbs. It’s worth upgrading these to LEDs to save on your energy (LEDs use 90% less) and cool down the space at the same time. Plus, these generally last much longer. As a rule, leave your lights off when not in use for cooler conditions.
And don’t forget your appliances! Even on standby, unused appliances will be consuming energy and generating heat. Lookout for culprits in the bedroom which are unknowingly heating the space, including TVs, games consoles, chargers and laptops. Switch these off when not in use. Consider using appliances that output the most heat in alternative rooms, too, such as the hairdryer and straighteners.
Our experts' top tower fans
Pros
- Powerful and versatile
- Easy to use
- Has a remote control
Cons
- Lowest setting isn’t very powerful
- Not very stable
Score: 92/100
Quickly working to make our testers feel more comfortable in a hot room, this is one worth grabbing before it sells out (which it quite often does in a heatwave – you have been warned!). It only offers 90 degrees of oscillation but there are 12 speeds to cycle through, and the LED display and intuitive design are a real bonus for the price tag.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Wasn’t noisy in testing
- Has a night mode, which reduces noise for better sleep
Cons
- Took trial and error to find the perfect setting – some air speeds feel quite similar
- Fiddly to set up filters
Score: 89/100
With built-in HEPA and carbon-activated filters, this sleek Dyson fan is an investment in good air quality. There are 10 air speeds to choose from and 350 degrees of oscillation so you can enjoy its cooling power from almost any spot in your room. It’s expensive but effective and you can control it from the app for ultimate ease.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Controls are responsive
- Has a night mode, which hides the bright display panel
Cons
- Not very stable
- Lowest setting wasn’t overly energy efficient
Score: 79/100
This well-designed tower fan freshens the air in your room while cooling it, thanks to its unique ion technology. It only oscillates up to 70 degrees, but its highest setting is powerful and effective.
