It's a breeze! Staying cool at home – without a bills spike

From plants to fans and fibres, Adele Cardani looks at tips to keep the temperatures down in a cost-conscious manner

- Adele Cardani

With record-breaking temperatures becoming a seasonal norm, the challenge of keeping your home cool is no longer reserved for far-flung climates. In the UK - where traditional homes are built to trap heat, not release it - rising temperatures can turn living spaces into stifling ovens. And with air conditioning still a rarity (and a costly one at that), finding effective, affordable alternatives has never been more important.

We spoke to the experts to uncover smart, sustainable ways to keep your home cool without driving up energy costs. From airflow tricks and thermal-savvy window treatments to breathable organic bedding and strategic greenery, their advice offers practical solutions for staying comfortable through the hottest days.

Invest in a fan that works smarter, not harder

It might seem obvious, but one of the simplest ways to stay cool is also one of the most overlooked: a decent fan. Not all fans are created equal, and the cheap, noisy models often end up doing little more than pushing hot air around. Instead, consider investing in a powerful, energy-efficient option that delivers real results - without draining your wallet.

Take the Dyson Cool CF1, for instance. Its brushless DC motor generates a smooth, even breeze and draws only 30 watts of power at maximum fan speed for energy-efficient cooling. It also has a customisable sleep timer, ensuring no wasted energy.

Target where the sun hits hardest