Ireland is braced for another scorching few days which could see highest temperatures reach 29C in some areas.
A weather advisory was issued by Met Eireann from Tuesday to Thursday as temperatures skyrocket for the remainder of the week.
Although the warm conditions will be welcomed by many, the alert reads: “Ireland will experience a hot spell developing from Wednesday and continuing through the rest of the week and the weekend.
READ MORE: Doctor issues stark cold shower warning amid heatwave in Ireland and Europe
“Daytime temperatures will widely reach the mid to high twenties. Remaining uncomfortably warm overnight too.”
It also warns of impacts like “heat stress, especially for the more vulnerable of the population.”
So, as the weather scorches, many people nationwide will be looking for tips to keep cool, without breaking the bank amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Here are top tips on how to keep an Irish house cool in a heatwave"
Close the Blinds
If you have windows that receive direct sunlight at any part of the day, you’ll benefit from keeping the blinds closed or curtains drawn for at least the sunniest part of the day.
For rooms on lower floors, try turning your blinds upwards to prevent rays (and heat) from sneaking through.
Venetian blinds help to keep the temperature down by allowing you to adjust the amount of light coming into the room by altering the size of the gap between the slats.
Turn off unused appliances
Like ovens, other appliances around the house will generate unwanted heat into a home over the summer.
Consider turning things like your TV, desktop computer and kitchen appliances off - don't just leave them on standby. This will stop them overheating and warming the rooms they are in.
Check on other equipment like smart speakers and TV casting devices, which might be in direct sunlight for long periods of time and may need to be switched off to prevent overheating.
Put tinfoil on windows
People desperately trying to keep cool have urged others to roll out kitchen foil and spread it in your windows, especially any windows that gets direct sunlight.
Normally, when direct sunlight shines through a window, it magnifies the heat of the sun and makes your house even warmer - this is how greenhouses work to keep plants warm inside.
But foil works by reflecting the sun off the window and sending it back outside instead.
Turn lights off and invest in energy-saving light bulbs
Light bulbs are another source of heat in homes and should be kept off when trying to cool your house down.
Keeping lights off will help to cool your house down – not to mention, it’s more environmentally-friendly and less money will be spent on bills.
Use a fan to cool down a room
A top tip when using fans to cool down is to leave a large bowl of mounded ice in front of it while it's working.
This will circulate cooler air around the room and function like a makeshift AC.
If you angle a fan towards a window, they will work to push out the warm air, cooling the room.
Close doors and seal gaps
Close doors to rooms you aren’t using to keep cool air where you need it most. Seal gaps around doors and windows, and use draught excluders to ensure the cool air can’t escape.
Keep steam down
Steamy showers, steaming pans, boiling kettles and laundry can also exacerbate a hot and humid home. If you're cooking, keep lids on your pans to keep the steam in.
Leave putting the dishwasher or washing machine on a cycle until the coolest part of the day.
Purchase a cooling pet mat
The summer heat doesn't just affect the human members of your household. Spare a thought for your four-legged friends, especially the fluffy ones.
You can ensure your furry family members have a means of coping with the warmer climes too by investing in cooling mats.
Typically filled with a non-toxic gel, their self-cooling designs will ensure your pets stay chilled out all summer.
Cool down your workspace
With more of us now working from home or adopting hybrid work routines, you may be yearning for the blissful days of sitting in an air-conditioned office.
To keep things as cool as can be when the mercury rises, purchase a small USB desk fan or mini air-conditioning unit to keep next to you on your desk.
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