“It might work in principle, but I wouldn’t do it in these extreme weather conditions,” he says. What about other justifications for opening a window – such as the idea that placing a wet towel or cloth in front of the airflow could help? Dr Shea remains sceptical. He also suggests that conservatory windows are always kept open during a heatwave – “otherwise it creates a greenhouse effect – and the door between the conservatory and the house should be kept closed.” “In this scenario, opening a window can help to reduce the heat dissipation from the south side.” “Sometimes, on south-facing windows, closing the window and closing the curtain can create a greenhouse effect between the two – and this can become another source of heat,” says Prof Al-Habaibeh. The location of the windows can also have an impact. We want to limit both, by closing the windows and curtains – but, if it reaches a point where the temperature inside the house is equal to that outside, then you should open the windows, keeping the curtains closed.” “You can get apps which will tell you the temperature, so you can figure it out more scientifically, but at night-time, you could quite readily throw the windows open and get some cool air in.”Īmin Al-Habaibeh, professor of intelligent engineering systems within the product design team, also at Nottingham Trent University, suggests some exceptions to the windows closed rule: “Heat comes into the house in two ways: solar radiation from the sun, and hot air. My place is like a cave, but it works.”ĭr Shea agrees that the time for open windows is overnight. “You can open the windows late in the evening and early in the morning – until 9am or so – when it’s cool, but otherwise keep them closed. Just grab on to that last bit of cool air inside,” he says.ĭr Ana Souto, a principal lecturer at Nottingham Trent University’s school of architecture, design and built environment, says her real expertise on keeping cool comes from the fact that she is Spanish.
“If you have a shaded area at the back of the house, for example, you might be able to open a window there – but generally, you don’t want to open the windows.
Although it’s easy to imagine that flinging your windows wide might invite some hint of a cool and pleasant breeze, in all likelihood, you’ll just be bringing warm air in – making your living space even hotter. “If it’s cooler inside than outside, you should keep your windows closed,” he says.
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