Stay cool as a cucumber with these 7 heat-busting tips for keeping your rooms cool in a heatwave – even when you don't have air con

female sat on floor in front of pedestal fan
Knowing how to keep a room cool in a heatwave doesn't have to involve air con (Image credit: Tempura/Getty Images)

If the thought of how to cool down a room in a heatwave makes your brain begin to melt, you're not alone. As soon as the temperature rises it's not uncommon for homeowners to start searching for the nearest air con installer, wishing they'd considered it the last time the sun made an appearance.

The good news is, knowing how to keep a house cool in summer doesn't always have to involve a new piece of kit or an expensive retrofit. There are still quick and easy ways to stop a room getting too hot in the first place, and methods for cooling it down fast.

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Helen O'Connor

Helen O’Conner is the product manager at the Yorkshire-based company 247 Blinds and 247 Curtains. Helen is a self-confessed ‘blind nerd’ who has over 10 years experience in the window dressing industry

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Georgina Metcalfe

Georgia was inspired from an early age by the green countryside, rolling hills and gorgeous cottages, all of which left her with a love of the style.  An life-long interest in architecture and design eventually led to her leaving a career in PR interior design to set up her own company selling romantically styled French beds and furniture.

Sarah Harley
Assistant Editor

Sarah is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Assistant Editor and joined the team in 2024. An established homes and interiors writer, Sarah has renovated and extended a number of properties, including a listing building and renovation project that featured on Grand Designs. Although she said she would never buy a listed property again, she has recently purchased a Grade II listed apartment. As it had already been professionally renovated, she has instead set her sights on tackling some changes to improve the building’s energy efficiency, as well as adding some personal touches to the interior.

With contributions from