No, you’re not imagining it… the UK is getting hotter.

In fact, recent summers have been some of the hottest on record. Cast your minds back to July 2022 and that infamous ‘hottest day ever in the UK’, where the mercury climbed to a balmy 40.3°C.

Unfortunately, as the following years have proven, all that summer heat doesn’t always dissipate enough in the evenings. As a result, you might feel restless at night as you struggle to fall asleep. Then, you’ll feel tired the next day, which can impact your concentration, work performance and even your wellbeing if a poor night’s sleep happens too often.

A comfortable sleeping temperature is said to range anywhere from 15.6°C to 20°C.

However, in the East Midlands, where the Lee Jackson team is based, the average nighttime temperatures during the month of June now average 24°C, according to research.

So if you can relate to a lack of sleep due to your room feeling too hot at night, this post is for you.

Cool Your Body Down Before Going To Bed

It definitely helps to prepare to be cool, especially when you’ll be entering a sleeping environment which is warmer than ideal. In short, if you are already too hot before trying to sleep in a warm room, you’ll likely struggle even more.

To cool down before bed, you can try:

Taking a lukewarm shower that is on the cooler side but not cold to avoid shocking your body.
Remain hydrated in the hours before you go to bed.
Put something cold (i.e. a cold pack) on pulse points such as wrists, ankles, neck, forehead or behind the knees.

Make your ‘cooldown routine’ something you do every night during the warmer weather. Ideally, spend 30 minutes on all of the steps so that you have had enough time to cool down before getting into bed.

Use Lighter Duvet Togs & Breathable Fabrics For Bedding

With all that work to cool down, the last thing you want to do is get into a bed that feels hot and stuffy.

As the warmer months approach, switch out heavier tog quilts and bedding for fabrics that are lighter and breathable. Some people even prefer to ditch the duvet altogether in favour of a cotton sheet.

Some of the best fabrics include cotton, bamboo or linen. Try to avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester as they can trap heat.

Another top tip is to place your pillowcase in the freezer for 30 minutes before bed. Doing so can really help to keep your face cool, as many people struggle with the feeling that their head is hotter than the rest of their body, especially during summer.

Use Fans In The Right Way

Putting a fan in the bedroom can help you sleep when it’s too hot. However, the effectiveness of the fan depends on its positioning and the outside temperature.

In short:

If it’s cooler outside, face the fan towards the window to pull cool air in
If it’s hotter outside, face the fan away to circulate air inside

For an extra cold blast, you can also try putting a bowl of ice in front of a fan, which can offer temporary relief.

Keep Heat Out Of The Room During The Day

Heat rises, which inevitably means that if your bedroom is located upstairs, it is unfortunately one of the worst places to try and get a good night’s sleep when it’s too hot!

During the day, you can take steps to reduce the amount of heat which enters your property.

Depending on your budget, some heat blocking methods include:

Installing blackout curtains or blinds and keeping them closed during the day
Installing shutters and keeping the shutters closed, which will create an even thicker physical barrier to prevent heat from entering your home
Use window treatments such as heat reflective window film to block sunlight
Consider insulating any poorly insulated areas of your property that allow too much heat in during the summer
Replace any old windows with modern double or triple glazing

Don’t forget basic measures too, such as switching off appliances that generate heat, like TVs, computers and chargers. During the hottest days of the year, it’s also a good idea to avoiding cooking with ovens, as the heat they give off will inevitably make your property even warmer.

Still No Relief From The Heat? Consider Installing Air Conditioning

If you’ve reached the point where you’ve tried everything and your bedroom is still too hot to sleep in at night, it’s time to consider a long term solution, such as getting air conditioning installed.

After all, when your sleep is disrupted because it’s too hot, it’s more than just frustrating. A lack of sleep can have serious impacts on your health, not to mention the overall enjoyment of your property.

The beauty of air conditioning is that it can be installed exactly where it’s needed in your property (via zoned climate control) to instantly combat any hot spots. Bedroom air conditioning is becoming increasingly popular, especially for homeowners who sleep upstairs.

At Lee Jackson, we regularly install air conditioning in bedrooms for our customers. Giving you back control of your room temperature means no more uncomfortable nights as you try to gain forty winks.

Did you know?: Research by Benham & Reeves suggests that installing air conditioning can boost the value of your property by between 2.5% and 10%, depending on where you live in the UK.

House Too Hot To Sleep In? Talk To Us About Our Room Cooling Solutions

At Lee Jackson, we help UK homeowners just like you to regain the comfort of their properties through professional air conditioning installation.

So, if you just can’t beat the heat, we can help you select the best air conditioning for your home. This includes the best installation ideas and also the unit types that would suit your property and budget. We install across the East Midlands in locations such as Derby, Nottingham and Leicester.

Or for Nottingham hotels, we can also install commercial air conditioning to keep rooms cooler and improve guest satisfaction. Head over to our hotel air conditioning page to learn more.

If you have any questions about reducing the temperature of your home through air conditioning, please send us a message.

You can also speak with our friendly team by calling 0800 949 9070.