Homes stay cool ‘without air con’ using ‘flushing’ method

People struggling with heat trapped in their homes might find relief through a cooling technique known as ‘night flushing’. Georgina Bisby, a content creator, journalist, and founder of Your Home Explained, posted the recommendation on her popular YouTube channel, Georgina Bisby DIY.

In a recent video, Georgina explained ‘how to keep your house cool in summer naturally without AC.’ For the evening hours, she recommended something called ‘night flushing’. The approach could prove perfect for those wanting to make their bedroom more pleasant before going to sleep.

Georgina said: “If you feel like your home gets hotter every day during a heatwave, you’re not actually imagining it. Our homes store heat like a battery. So, in hot weather, your walls, carpets, and furniture absorb heat during the day, then slowly release it all night. Which is why homes can still feel unbearable even at midnight.”

She warned that many people only take action once the heat has built up. Homeowners should actually aim to prevent this in the first place, reports the Mirror. Georgina said: “Ideally, when a hot spell is forecast, from the first warm day, block sunlight early, ventilate at night, and stop your home from storing heat before it snowballs. Modern buildings actually have a name for this.

“It’s called night flushing. And it sounds technical, but it’s pretty simple. It’s just about keeping heat out during the day and then dumping it out overnight.”

She added that you should check the temperature before opening windows, waiting until the outside air is cooler than the inside air.

“It’s worth having a thermometer indoors and perhaps checking hourly temperatures on your weather app because houses can still hold loads of heat long after sunset. So, even if it still feels warm outside, you might find that it is actually cooler than inside.

“Once you’re sure that it’s cooler outside, open your windows, create air flow through the house, and ventilate hardest overnight and before sunrise because the coolest temperatures are often just before sunrise.”

The NHS website offers advice on coping in hot weather. The NHS said: “Keep your living space cool. Close windows, curtains and blinds during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees.

“Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep, and make sure to check on anyone who is at higher risk from the heat.” The NHS added: “If you or someone else feels unwell with a high temperature during hot weather, it may be heat exhaustion or heatstroke.” Always speak to a medical expert if you have health concerns.