Can we expect more heat waves this summer?

The Met office has already warned us that 2023 will be even hotter than 2022 - one of the warmest years on record.

And with the rise in temperatures, we can be sure to expect plenty of heat waves this summer.

So, what are heat waves? Well, a heat wave is a period of unusually hot weather that lasts for two or more days. These have become increasingly common, and this'll be the tenth year in a row that the world's temperature is at least one degree above average.

Heatwaves have several consequences. The sustained high temperatures they cause aren't just taxing on our bodies, but can seriously impact things like infrastructure and electronic devices, which have to work harder in the heat.

Heatwaves are the result of global warming, which is, in part, caused by overconsumption of fossil fuels. So, as the summer approaches, we've prepared an article that gives you simple tips on how to stay cool while saving energy. Which is not only great for the planet, but will also help to keep the costs of your bills low too. Win win.

So, without further ado, here are our suggestions.

Cool ways to beat the heat without using your air conditioning

Air conditioning and fans are a great way to stay fresh. However, they can use up a lot of energy, which is both expensive and not great for the environment. So instead of whacking on the AC at full blast, trying these very simple things will help keep your temperature low without breaking the bank.

1. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water! H20 is an easy way to keep your body temperature low. Add ice for extra freshness.

2. Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm. This is the hottest time of the day, and staying in the shade will help you remain cool.

3. Trees can help. Apart from the immediate cooling effect of the shade that they provide, planting trees can help to lower air temperature by up to 8 degrees!

Of course, when the temperatures soar, air conditioning might be the most effective way to cool down - the main thing is to stay safe and not overheat.

Reduce daytime electricity consumption

But it's not just the air conditioning that you need to avoid, if you're trying to save money on bills during the summer. Here's a few things you can do to keep your electricity costs to a minimum:

1. Hang your clothes out to dry. Let the natural heat do its thing! Tumble dryers can add nearly £60 to your yearly bills, so cutting them out will really make a difference.

2. If there's a bit of a breeze outside, open your windows and let the air in - just as good as having a fan, but a lot cheaper.

3. Make sure your electronic devices are switched off, rather than on standby. Objects like your fridge, TV, and other household appliances, tend to use up more energy during a heatwave, as they struggle to remain cool. To save a bit of electricity try to turn them off at the plug if you're not using them - it could save you a whopping £55 a year!

4. Take advantage of longer evenings and conserve energy. Save on your household bills by making the most of the increased daylight, simply delay switching on your lights for as long as possible.

5. Slashing your energy bills. While it may look like energy prices aren't going down, you lower your costs by bundling your bills. Companies like UW offer you better value on utilities such as energy, mobile, broadband, and insurance when you bundle them into one bill.

And that's about it, a few simple tips that should help you cut your energy costs and save a little more on your household bills this summer and beyond - so that you can spend money on the things that matter most.