How to Keep Your House Cool in the Summer: Expert Tips & Practical Solutions

When summer temperatures rise, figuring out how to keep the house cool in the summer can feel like a constant battle. Whether you’re dealing with a heatwave making your home unbearably hot or trying to prevent stuffy, uncomfortable rooms, finding the right cooling solutions is essential.

Unlike many other countries where air conditioning is standard, most homes and offices in the UK aren’t built with AC. This means we have to rely on other ways to keep indoor temperatures down when the weather gets too warm.

In this guide, we’ll explore practical cooling strategies that make a real difference, from quick fixes like adjusting ventilation and using blinds effectively to long-term solutions such as upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors. If you’re looking for ways to prevent excessive heat buildup and enjoy a cooler home, you’re in the right place.

Let’s dive in!

Instant Relief: Simple Tricks to Beat the Heat Indoors

When your home starts feeling uncomfortably warm, you need relief fast. But cooling down your home doesn’t have to be complicated as there are plenty of quick, simple solutions that can help.

1. Ventilation Strategies: When to Open and Close Windows

Proper ventilation is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cool your home, but timing is everything.

• Open windows strategically – In the early morning and late evening, when outside temperatures drop, opening windows creates natural airflow to push out warm air and let in cooler air.
• Close windows during peak heat – When the sun is at its strongest, keeping windows shut prevents hot air from entering and heating up your rooms.
• Use cross-ventilation – Opening windows on opposite sides of your home helps create a natural breeze that moves air efficiently through your space.

2. Curtains, Blinds & Shading: Blocking Out Heat

Sunlight streaming through windows can significantly raise indoor temperatures, making rooms feel like greenhouses. Using shading techniques can reduce heat gain and keep your home cooler.

• Close blinds and curtains – During the hottest part of the day, keeping curtains or blinds closed, especially in sun-facing rooms, can block out direct sunlight and prevent overheating.
• Install blackout or thermal curtains – These are designed to insulate your home, keeping heat out in summer and warmth in during winter.

3. Using Fans Effectively: Maximising Air Circulation

Fans can be a great alternative to air conditioning, but using them correctly makes all the difference in keeping rooms cool.

• Position fans for cross-ventilation – Place a fan near an open window in the evening to pull in cooler air from outside.
• Try the ice bowl trick – Placing a bowl of ice or a frozen water bottle in front of a fan creates a cool mist effect, making the air feel colder.
• Use ceiling fans correctly – In summer, set ceiling fans to rotate anti-clockwise, which pushes air downward to create a cooling breeze.
• Point box fans outward – If a room is particularly hot, position a box fan facing out of a window to push warm air outside.

4. Reducing Indoor Heat Sources: Minimising Heat Buildup

A significant amount of indoor heat comes from appliances and daily activities. Small adjustments can help maintain a cooler indoor environment.

• Internorm Windows & Doors – Combining cutting-edge glazing technology with elegant design, these windows offer exceptional thermal insulation and solar heat control. Internorm windows are also inward-opening (tilt and turn), allowing for flexible ventilation. The tilt function enables fresh air circulation while keeping the window partially closed, making it ideal for variable weather conditions.
• Visiline Aluminium Range – Sleek and contemporary, this collection provides minimalist aesthetics with high energy efficiency, perfect for modern homes.
• Triple & Double Glazing Options – Customisable to your home’s needs, ensuring maximum heat control and energy savings.
• Solar Control Glass Options – For rooms with high sun exposure, we offer solar glass solutions designed to reduce heat gain while maintaining natural light. These specialised glazing options help keep indoor temperatures comfortable by reflecting excess solar radiation, reducing the need for cooling systems.

Passive Cooling Techniques: Preventative Measures for a Cooler Home

While quick fixes can help cool a house down fast, long-term strategies are key to preventing home overheating during summer. Passive cooling techniques focus on keeping heat out in the first place, reducing the need for fans or air conditioning. By incorporating effective shading, insulation, and reflective materials, you can maintain a consistently cooler home throughout the summer months.

1. External Shading Solutions: Blocking the Sun Before It Hits Your Home

One of the most effective ways to keep a house cool in summer is by preventing direct sunlight from heating up your windows and walls. External shading solutions can make a noticeable difference in indoor temperatures by stopping heat before it enters your home.

• Awnings & Overhangs – Fixed or retractable awnings provide shade for windows and doors, reducing solar heat gain and keeping interior spaces cooler.
• External Shutters – Installing adjustable shutters allows you to control sunlight exposure, blocking heat during peak hours while still allowing ventilation.
• Pergolas & Trellises – Adding a pergola or trellis with climbing plants can create natural shading for patios, reducing heat buildup near your home.

2. Insulation Improvements: Keeping the Heat Out

Good insulation isn’t just for winter, it plays a crucial role in summer cooling too. Insulating walls, roofs, and floors helps maintain a stable indoor temperature, stopping external heat from creeping inside.

• Roof & Loft Insulation – A well-insulated loft prevents heat from radiating down into living spaces, keeping upstairs rooms noticeably cooler.
• Wall Insulation – Adding cavity wall or external insulation slows heat transfer, reducing indoor temperature spikes during hot weather.
• Insulated Doors & Windows – High-performance double or triple glazing provides superior thermal insulation, keeping warmth out in summer and retaining heat in winter. This is what we specialise in here at ecoHaus, offering market-leading energy-efficient windows and doors that help regulate indoor temperatures for a more comfortable home.

3. Roof Coatings & Reflective Materials: Deflecting Heat Away

The colour and material of your roof can have a huge impact on how much heat your home absorbs. Lighter, reflective surfaces help reduce heat buildup and keep the house cool in the summer by bouncing sunlight away rather than absorbing it.

• Cool Roof Coatings – Special reflective coatings on roofs help deflect solar radiation, reducing indoor heat gain.
• Lighter Roof Colours – Homes with light-coloured roofing materials stay significantly cooler than those with dark, heat-absorbing roofs.

Energy-Efficient Windows & Doors: The Smart Way to Keep Your Home Cool

In the previous section, we touched on how insulated doors and windows play a major role in keeping the house cool in the summer. Now, let’s take a closer look at why high-performance glazing is one of the most effective long-term solutions for regulating indoor temperatures, not just in summer but all year round.

Unlike temporary cooling methods, upgrading to energy-efficient doors & windows provides a lasting solution, helping to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. That means you’re solving two problems at once while reducing energy usage and keeping your home comfortable in every season.

How Do Windows Impact Home Temperature?

Windows play a significant role in how much heat enters and escapes your home. Standard, single-glazed windows allow solar heat to pour in during summer, creating hot, stuffy rooms that are difficult to cool.

With high-performance glazing, you can:

• Reduce heat gain in summer – Special coatings and insulated glass reflect solar heat, keeping your home cooler.
• Retain warmth in winter – Thermal insulation prevents heat from escaping, reducing cold spots and draughts.
• Improve indoor comfort year-round – No more rooms that overheat in summer and feel cold in winter, just a stable, comfortable temperature.

ecoHaus Solutions: High-Performance Windows & Doors

At ecoHaus, we specialise in providing industry-leading energy-efficient windows and doors designed to improve home comfort in every season. We offer a range of premium products from Internorm, Visiline, and other top manufacturers, ensuring you get the best solution for your home.

• Internorm Windows & Doors – Combining cutting-edge glazing technology with elegant design, these windows offer exceptional thermal insulation and solar heat control. Internorm windows are also inward-opening (tilt and turn), allowing for flexible ventilation. The tilt function enables fresh air circulation while keeping the window partially closed, making it ideal for variable weather conditions.
• Visiline Aluminium Range – Sleek and contemporary, this collection provides minimalist aesthetics with high energy efficiency, perfect for modern homes.
• Triple & Double Glazing Options – Customisable to your home’s needs, ensuring maximum heat control and energy savings.
• Solar Control Glass Options – For rooms with high sun exposure, we offer solar glass solutions designed to reduce heat gain while maintaining natural light. These specialised glazing options help keep indoor temperatures comfortable by reflecting excess solar radiation, reducing the need for cooling systems.

Why Upgrade? The Long-Term Benefits

Investing in high-performance windows and doors is more than just a way to keep the house cool in summer, it’s a smart decision for year-round efficiency and comfort. Some of the key benefits include:

• Lower energy bills – By reducing the need for fans, air conditioning, and excessive heating, you cut down on energy consumption.
• Better insulation – High-performance glazing stops heat from escaping in winter and prevents excessive heat gain in summer.
• Noise reduction – Modern double and triple glazing significantly reduces outside noise, creating a quieter living space.
• Increased property value – Energy-efficient homes are more attractive to buyers, making this a solid investment for the future.

Staying cool in summer doesn’t have to mean relying on energy-hungry solutions. Quick fixes like ventilation, shading, and fan positioning can provide instant relief, while passive cooling techniques such as insulation and external shading help prevent overheating in the first place.

For a long-term solution, energy-efficient windows and doors offer the best of both worlds, keeping heat out in summer and retaining warmth in winter. At ecoHaus, we specialise in high-performance glazing designed to improve home comfort all year round.

Get in touch today to explore our range of Internorm and Visiline windows and doors and find the right solution for your home.