Hot weather - windows open or closed? (house)
Discussion
In hot sunny weather I now recognise the benefit of having blinds tilted to max to keep sun out, or pulling curtains etc during the day. A bit like shutters abroad , it really does seem to keep the heat out, then in the evening you can open up the curtains & windows to get some air through.
But, I can’t decide if the small windows should be open or closed? I’m thinking being double glazed should I leave them closed in the heat of the day to help keep heat out, and also sometimes the air is so hot it could bring her into the room? Or should I leave open small amount for a drought through the house.
Whaddya reckon.
But, I can’t decide if the small windows should be open or closed? I’m thinking being double glazed should I leave them closed in the heat of the day to help keep heat out, and also sometimes the air is so hot it could bring her into the room? Or should I leave open small amount for a drought through the house.
Whaddya reckon.
I’m the U.K. the air is often quite cool so I usually keep windows open, especially you can create movement up through the house from bottom to top with velux windows etc in the roof itself and limit direct sunlight with blinds and curtains.
Ive lived abroad loads though where it got up into the 40s and there it was all about keeping windows and curtains closed as the air is so hot.
Ive lived abroad loads though where it got up into the 40s and there it was all about keeping windows and curtains closed as the air is so hot.
For us: old part of the house with 24” thick solid stone walls - windows, doors, curtains all closed and let the stone take the heat (managed to keep it to 20 degrees when it was 34 degrees outside last month). New, insulated part - just open the windows and doors and live in the old part of the house as it’s a complete waste of time trying to regulate the heat. I’ve never been in a new build house that isn’t like an oven in warm weather!
Although I live in a really nice area, no noise no kids & VERY British (until a new estate was built 1/2 mile away with the inevitable 'social' housing content) I trust nobody.
Lots of open windows & doors at rear of property & thus out of sight but NEVER EVER open windows at front unless actually sitting in the relevant room as I'm doing now. With internal doors open there is a lovely breeze right through the house.
Lots of open windows & doors at rear of property & thus out of sight but NEVER EVER open windows at front unless actually sitting in the relevant room as I'm doing now. With internal doors open there is a lovely breeze right through the house.
I dumped a load of loft insulation to meet minimum standard last autumn. Improvement keeping the temp down this year.
But I needed to do other things. Measuring 30 in the shade outside last month and 24 downstairs was not bad, 26 up. Windows closed.
Opened the windows upstairs to see what would happen ( I know I know) and the temperature went up as expected with a warm air flow through. Shut windows, whacked the air con on and knocked it back and it stabilised at 26 again. However I use radiator insulation bubble wrap stuff covering the sun facing windows in the afternoon when it gets too hot. Stop the UV getting in. That helps a great deal. Enough that it will drop 4-6 degrees off the room compared to not using it.
This is going to happen more then I need to rethink painting the outside white and fitting external shutters to the windows. Get more efficient glass panels fitted or that film to block UV. Or move.
Yesterday was, on balance same, in as out meaning a draught through the house was acceptable. Today I have slightly higher in that out, getting some air through again.
Guessing it will vary a lot between house construction types, amount of glass getting direct sunlight, type of glass, what the curtains are like etc. etc.
But I needed to do other things. Measuring 30 in the shade outside last month and 24 downstairs was not bad, 26 up. Windows closed.
Opened the windows upstairs to see what would happen ( I know I know) and the temperature went up as expected with a warm air flow through. Shut windows, whacked the air con on and knocked it back and it stabilised at 26 again. However I use radiator insulation bubble wrap stuff covering the sun facing windows in the afternoon when it gets too hot. Stop the UV getting in. That helps a great deal. Enough that it will drop 4-6 degrees off the room compared to not using it.
This is going to happen more then I need to rethink painting the outside white and fitting external shutters to the windows. Get more efficient glass panels fitted or that film to block UV. Or move.
Yesterday was, on balance same, in as out meaning a draught through the house was acceptable. Today I have slightly higher in that out, getting some air through again.
Guessing it will vary a lot between house construction types, amount of glass getting direct sunlight, type of glass, what the curtains are like etc. etc.
experiment in your home, try opening certain windows and see if you can expel the hot air inside the home so it goes out, takes a bit of working out to get it just right imo
I have side window open fully and on side where less sun the window wide open and a fan expelling and driving all the hot air outwards, creating a type of channel for hot air to get rid in the home and fresh air coming from the other open window.
I have side window open fully and on side where less sun the window wide open and a fan expelling and driving all the hot air outwards, creating a type of channel for hot air to get rid in the home and fresh air coming from the other open window.
We have the windows open and try and create a draft through the house.
Some of the overzealous mods could do with letting off some hot air too. their frequent haphazard approach to moving threads is a joke. It is as if they make work for themselves to appear busy. Soon it will be like going into a library and needing to know exactly what subsection you need to be looking in on
Some of the overzealous mods could do with letting off some hot air too. their frequent haphazard approach to moving threads is a joke. It is as if they make work for themselves to appear busy. Soon it will be like going into a library and needing to know exactly what subsection you need to be looking in on
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 25th August 17:46
Windows open at night to let colder air in to cool the house down.
Windows closed in the morning to trap that cooler air inside when the outside air temp starts to rise.
Curtains drawn on windows letting any sunlight in.
Kitchen door kept shut when the boiler is running or the oven is on.
Windows closed in the morning to trap that cooler air inside when the outside air temp starts to rise.
Curtains drawn on windows letting any sunlight in.
Kitchen door kept shut when the boiler is running or the oven is on.
As someone who grew up in a hot climate, I like the heat. And as my place has 14-24" external walls, I have the windows open the last few days to get the internal walls to soak up heat.
Though, on the 38C day we had last month, I had the windows all shut until the evening, as I didn't want to go to bed in a hot bedroom with no fan.
Though, on the 38C day we had last month, I had the windows all shut until the evening, as I didn't want to go to bed in a hot bedroom with no fan.
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