Stay Cool in the Capital

Tips for keeping on top of the heat

The summer of 2025 has been rather a hot one in the UK, to say the least. With the likelihood of heatwaves occurring ever more frequently, we all need to consider coping strategies for handling the effects.

WHAT DEFINES A HEATWAVE?

The UK Met Office defines a heatwave as a period of at least three consecutive days where the daily maximum temperature meets or exceeds the heatwave temperature threshold. For London, this threshold is typically 28°C (82°F).

Here’s the most recently recorded peak temperatures of the last 50 years.

HOT IN THE CITY

Cities are typically warmer and conduct and retain more heat than more rural towns thanks to building density, use of heat-conducting materials such as tarmac and concrete. At the other end of the scale, there is less green space to provide a counterbalance.

Not everyone can afford to bring in air-conditioning, and even the newest of new builds do not have air conditioning as standard. While there are regulations aimed at preventing overheating, they prioritise passive cooling methods (like ventilation and window design) over air conditioning.

MANAGING THE HEAT

The key to staying cool is managing heat gains in your home, whether that’s a house or a flat and taking individual care of your own body heat.

• Block sunlight – close curtains
• Reduce the influx of hot air – close windows
• Promote air flow – use fans to keep air moving
• Selfcare – take steps to remain hydrated and cool

1. Close windows and curtains!
   For many people, this is totally counterintuitive. As soon as it gets too hot indoors, we throw open the windows. But if it’s hotter outside than in and there’s no breeze, all that happens is the temperature inside equalises with the temperature outside = HOTTER THAN EVER. So keep windows closed during the heat of the day and close curtains and blinds to reduce solar gains. Once the outdoor temperature begins to drop, open windows in the evening/overnight to allow fresh air to circulate.
2. Encourage Airflow
   Use fans to move air around. If you find you are perspiring, airflow over damp skin is one of the body’s ways of cooling itself. If you’re able to open windows on opposite sides of your home, then it is possible to create a cooling air flow in this way. Experiment with fans to draw cooler air from the shady side. Use bathroom and kitchen fans to help keep air moving.
3. Cool yourself down
   It sounds obvious, but temperature can creep up on us and catch us off guard. Something as simple as a walk to the shops in the intense heat of the day can even cause dizziness and nausea. Stay cool and hydrated by drinking iced water – keep your freezer stocked with ice cubes and ice lollies. Apply a cold compress to the back of your neck, pulse points or forehead. Sit with your feet in a bucket of cold water or take a cold shower or bath. Wear lightweight and loose clothing, preferably in light colours – dark colours absorb heat. Wear sandals instead of trainers or tight shoes. Use a traditional handheld fan as practised by Mediterranean women – it is simple but effective.
4. Limit heat-generating activities
   Try to avoid using your oven or hob as this will introduce more heat into your home, especially during the hottest part of the day. Instead, consider eating salad, cold meats, cheese, hummus, etc – anything straight from the fridge. Or break out the barbecue and grill supper outdoors – though we appreciate that this option isn’t available to flat dwellers. Avoid going for a long run or an intense workout and stoking up internal heat. An easy swim would be a better option for exercise.
5. Seek out shady and cool places
   If the heat of the day indoors becomes too much, scout out a nice shady spot in your local park, by a copse, lake or pond. If it’s not too busy, consider taking a dip in your local lido or swimming pond. Refuge can often be found in old stone churches and shady, leafy churchyards. Find a restaurant or café with air conditioning. If the worst comes to the worst, go and hang around by the chiller section of your local supermarket – we’ve all escaped the office and done exactly this at some point! Here’s the Government’s list of recommended cool spaces in London.
6. On the move?
   The Mayor of London has summed up some useful tips for travelling around London in the hot weather.
7. Can’t sleep?
   We’ve all lain awake at night in the heat, tossing and turning. Arrange to sleep in the coolest part of your home if possible. Take a cool shower before bed. Wear light cotton bedwear. Freeze a small bottle of water, wrap it in a flannel and use it as a cool water bottle (the opposite of a hot water bottle).
8. If all else fails…
   If you’re not able to manage the temperature in your home using the above methods, you might consider purchasing a portable air conditioning unit. Here’s a Which Report dedicated to air conditioners. Although they’re not cheap (plus there are the running costs), with global warming only increasing, it seems likely that we will see more Mediterranean summer weather in the UK in the future, so it could well be a good investment.

   Portable AC units should not require a Licence to Alter. However, many of these units work by drawing in warm air, cooling it, and then expelling the now-cooled air into the room. They also extract moisture and hot air from the room, which needs to be vented outside – so there may be complaints about having a hose coming from your window.

   We recommend checking the noise level of the AC device as it will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Here’s a guide to sound levels to help you decipher what the Db levels mean. For indoor units, a decibel range between 35-40 dB is typically quiet and won’t disrupt normal activities, such as sleep or conversation.

   Please do check with your landlord before spending money on an AC unit.

In the meantime, remember, you’re not alone. We’re all pretty much in the same boat, so try to stay cool, calm and keep smiling.

To become an MIH client, get in touch with our helpful team on 020 3637 7968 or email info@mihproperty.co.uk