We enjoyed a glorious May, with temperatures exceeding 30°C in parts of the UK. Great news if you’re heading to the park, spending a day at the beach, or trying to get a head start on your summer tan. Less enjoyable if you’re sitting in a warm, stuffy office or workplace.
While we’ve had a brief break from the heat, forecasts suggest we could be in for another warm summer. Whether that’s down to climate trends or simply the fact that it always seems to be warm whenever there’s an international football tournament on, now is the perfect time to prepare your building for the hotter months ahead.
The good news is that keeping a building cooler doesn’t always require expensive equipment. A few simple changes can make a noticeable difference.
One of the biggest contributors to overheating is solar gain, the heat that enters a building through its windows.
During warm weather, keep blinds or curtains closed on windows facing direct sunlight. The key is to do this before the room heats up. Once the space is already warm, much of the solar energy has already entered the building.
If you’re relying on blinds or curtains, close them before the sun reaches the window and reopen them once it has passed. South- and west-facing windows are often the biggest culprits for overheating.
For a more permanent solution, reflective window film can help reduce the amount of solar heat entering a building, potentially removing the need for constant blind management.
When temperatures rise, many people instinctively open windows throughout the day. In reality, this can sometimes make things worse.
The most effective approach is often to open windows during the evening, overnight, or early morning when outside temperatures are lower. This allows cooler air to enter the building and helps remove heat that has built up during the day.
While it can feel counterintuitive, once the outside temperature starts to rise, closing windows can help keep that cooler air inside for longer. If it’s hotter outside than it is indoors, leaving windows open may actually allow more heat into the building rather than helping it stay cool.
Of course, security and operational requirements must always come first, but where it is practical and safe to do so, taking advantage of cooler evening air can make a significant difference.
For buildings with mechanical ventilation systems, it may be worth reviewing how they operate during warmer periods. Where possible, maximise fresh air intake when external temperatures are lower and avoid unnecessarily bringing warm air into the building during the hottest part of the day. The right approach will vary depending on the building and its ventilation requirements, but using ventilation more strategically can improve comfort levels considerably.
Everything inside a building generates heat. Lighting, computers, printers, kitchen equipment, machinery and even people all contribute to internal temperatures.
During warmer periods, consider whether any equipment can be switched off when not in use. Not only can this help keep temperatures down, but it can also reduce energy costs.
It’s also worth thinking about how space is used. If certain areas of the building remain naturally cooler than others, consider whether teams can make greater use of those spaces during hotter days.
Air conditioning remains one of the most effective ways to cool a building, but it isn’t always practical or cost-effective to install.
Fortunately, there are a number of lower-cost alternatives.
Desk fans are a great example. While they don’t actually reduce the air temperature, the increased airflow can make people feel several degrees cooler.
There are also personal cooling products that can help. Cooling towels, when lightly dampened, can provide significant relief during hot weather. A well-insulated water bottle filled with cold water can also help keep you comfortable while ensuring you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Hot weather can have a real impact on comfort, concentration and productivity. The good news is that many of the most effective solutions are simple behavioural changes rather than expensive building upgrades.
The key is preparation. Use cooler periods of the day to your advantage, manage solar gain before spaces overheat, and think carefully about how ventilation is being used.
When it comes to keeping cool, preventing heat from entering the building is often far easier than trying to remove it once it’s there.
© 2025 R2G LIMITED. All rights reserved | Website by Creativefive | Company number: 15826171 | Registered address: The Office, Gothic House, Barker Gate, Nottingham NG1 1JU | info@r2g.co.uk