From June through to August the temperature is usually between 25 and 32 DegC. Yet there are heat-waves that last for 4-5 days where afternoon temperatures reach 38-40 DegC.

Regardless of 25 or 38, the house will keep you cool, but you must manage it. The golden rule is not allow the heat into the house.

This is what you must do.

Early Morning (6am)

Open all windows, shutters, and doors. This will allow fresh cool air into the house.

Open the Velux window at the top of the staircase. This will allow hot air to escape out of the top of the house, creating a draft sucking air into the house.

 Open the windows in the attic. Take care of the blinds, close the blinds towards the top, then lie the windows gently flat. Some windows in the attic cannot be opened, as they are broken.

About 8:00

When the sun starts to shine directly onto the front windows, close the windows and partially close the shutters. In the attic, remember to close the windows and extend the blinds.

You can leave the back of the house open.

Close all doors. Make sure you keep the these doors closed:

• Door from dining room into side entrance, the side entrance gets hot as it is not insulated.
• Door from side entrance to barn, because hot air comes in through the barn.
• Door from downstairs bedroom into washroom, because the washroom gets hot.

If in doubt, keep the doors closed.

About 10:00

The outside temperature will start to warm-up. So, close all the windows and shutters at the rear, even if the sun is not directly shining into the windows at this point.

Remember to close the attic windows and extend the blinds.

Sleeping at Night – Fans

Of course at night you may leave the windows & shutters open but mosquitoes will come in. Mosquito nets will keep you safe but you will hear them buzz around the net. If shutters are open, you will also be woken by the rising sun.

Having open windows but closed shutters is an option.

Our recommendation is to keep the windows and shutters closed and to use a fan for the first 20-30 minutes whilst you aclimatise. It is not necessary to use a fan all night.

Obviously just use a sheet (no duvet) and a cool shower before going to bed.