02 July 2026
As temperature records broke in Reading and across the UK during June’s extraordinary heatwave, many Britons were left unsure how to cool down their homes.
Ahead of more high temperatures forecast for next week, households are being advised to take action to stay cool in the extreme heat.
Professor Runming Yao, an expert on indoor environmental quality, thermal comfort and wellbeing, outlines the best ways to avoid hot homes. For interviews, contact the University of Reading Press Office on 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@reading.ac.uk.
Professor Runming Yao, University of Reading, said: “The recent extreme heatwaves significantly affected Britons' living conditions at home, particularly for those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly, young children and people with pre-existing conditions.
“The UK's existing buildings were mainly designed and built to cope with a mild, cool climate, but climate change is making heatwaves more frequent. Our research compared how people in the UK and in China's 'Hot Summer and Cold Winter' climate zone respond to heat, and found that people who have lived in hot climates for a long time can cope better with heatwaves. Britons are not yet adapted to this.
“The cause of indoor overheating is due to heat gains entering rooms largely from solar radiation through windows and outdoor warmer air, as well as internal heat gains emitted from electric devices and cooking.
“These straightforward behavioural adaptive measures could be helpful to cooling:
Use external shadings, such as shutters and blinds to block solar radiation from windows
Avoid heavy cooking and intensive use of electrical devices to minimise internal heat gains
Reuse household wastewater (grey water), such as from baths or washing machines, to dampen patios, driveways and walls. As it evaporates, it draws out the heat stored in the concrete or brick.
Close windows during the daytime to avoid warmer air entering the room
Open windows during the night to allow cooler air to enter the room, taking away heat contained in walls and furniture.
Use portable cooling packs to help cool a room or the body
Use electric fans to cool the body by evaporating sweat from the skin.
“These are low energy measures compared to air conditioning. It could be less effective when the heatwaves last a long period, and the air temperature is not cool enough during night. Britons need guidance on adaptive behaviour to cope with heatwaves and maintain a comfortable temperature.”
Read research from Professor Runming Yao:
Read more from the University of Reading:
Find out how extra hot your area is: istheukhotrightnow.com/
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