UK households urged to unplug laptops on Sunday | Weather | News

Britons have been advised to keep their homes cool as a heatwave approaches this weekend; This includes unplugging laptops. The Met Office said the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend will see “an exceptional heat spell for May, with a notable heatwave forecast”.

Steve Kocher, deputy chief forecaster at the national weather service, said: “Temperatures will rise over the weekend, particularly in the south where 30°C will be recorded on Saturday and 32°C on Sunday. Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday where we could see 33°C recorded across the south of England and the Midlands.” He added that “May and Spring UK temperature records are likely to be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures set to exceed the current record of 32.8°C.” “As well as being hot, there will be plenty of dry, sunny weather across much of the UK, but there will be more clouds and showers across Northern Ireland and Western Scotland over the weekend.

“With relatively low sea surface temperatures, some cloud and sea fog is also likely to occur near the western coast.”

With temperatures expected to rise to 32 degrees from Sunday, British Gas has shared a range of tips to keep the heat out of your home.

Peter Knowles, British Gas service and repair engineer, said: “We all know how frustrating it is to have hot and stuffy homes. The good news is that there are some practical steps homes can take to help keep internal temperatures down during the summer months.

“Things like doing your laundry in the evening, keeping the windows closed in the middle of the day, or putting your fans on the floor are all small changes that can make a real difference.”

One tip is to unplug devices that produce heat, such as laptops; because these, along with chargers, are released into the environment when other devices are left plugged in, even if they are not actively used.

Mr Knowles says heat from multiple appliances during a heatwave can combine to make stuffy indoor air worse, so unplugging things you’re not using will help keep rooms a little cooler.

Other heat-beating tips include:

• Switching to cooler lighting possible
  • Conventional light bulbs can create a surprising amount of heat. For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb can radiate about 50 watts of heat into a room, while an LED of the same brightness emits only one to two watts; so it’s worth considering switching.
  • Smart bulbs, like those found at Hive, let you control your lighting through your smart home app when you’re away from home.
• Batch cook and wash at the beginning and end of the day:
  • they are at the highest level
  • Mr Knowles recommends batch cooking early in the morning or late in the evening, drying laundry outdoors if possible, and opting for lighter meals that you don’t need to cook during peak temperatures.
• Help your refrigerator run smoothly:
  • Refrigerators have to work harder when they’re hot and produce more heat in your kitchen. Checking that the thermostat is set correctly, keeping the rear coils clean and dust-free, and defrosting regularly will help the appliance operate more efficiently and therefore produce less excess heat.
• Keep windows closed during the day:
  • Although it may seem a little counterintuitive, it’s best to keep windows closed during the day to prevent hot air from entering your home.
  • Light-colored curtains or blinds made of heavier fabrics can also be effective in blocking out heat as long as they are kept closed.

• Thoughtful positioning of fans:
  • It can also help to place fans at floor level to circulate cooler air, rather than pushing hot air at head height. The expert also recommends trying to point a fan out the window in the evening to blow out hot air.
  • Opening windows at night will also provide natural ventilation without the need to constantly run fans.
• Create natural cooling:
  • Hanging a damp sheet in front of an open window in the evening will also help naturally cool the incoming air.
  • Those with south- and west-facing windows that receive afternoon sun may also consider using reflective window film to reduce heat and glare.

She also recommends taking steps to adapt your living space, such as covering leather sofas with lightweight, breathable cotton or linen covers to make them more comfortable, and, if possible, doing active activities outdoors to prevent indoors from heating up.

you can find Advice on staying cool when the mercury rises on British Gas’ website.

They also brought together Video explainer on how to make sure your refrigerator and freezer are working as they should. It comes as five yellow heat health alerts come into force in England today, issued by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA), due to the scorching temperatures ahead.

They are extinguished when the temperature is likely to affect the health and well-being of the population. You can find more here.