CS
Claire Schofield
Environment & Climate · United Kingdom
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The Mirror
Jul 2026
Keep your house cool in a heatwave by putting one simple kitchen item on windowsill
Forecasts predict temperatures exceeding 30°C across multiple English regions, prompting amber heat‑health alerts and concerns over difficult tropical nights. Energy experts recommend placing a bowl of cold water or ice on a windowsill or in front of a fan to cool indoor air cheaply and effectively, with British Gas supporting the method as an affordable alternative to air conditioning.
The Mirror
Jul 2026
Homes will feel cooler with no air con needed if 1 item is put on windowsills
Forecasts of high temperatures across the UK have prompted advice on simple, low‑cost cooling methods. Energy experts recommend placing a bowl of cold water or ice near an open window to reduce indoor temperatures, with improved results when paired with a fan. The technique is endorsed by British Gas as a cost‑effective alternative to air conditioning, which is significantly more expensive to run. Weather forecasts from the Met Office indicate temperatures could reach 35°C in parts of southern England and spread northwards later in the week.