People urged to put bowl of water on windowsill as heatwave hits Wales
The Met Office has said the UK is set to be hit by a heatwave this week - but there is a cheap and easy way to keep your home cool as temperatures soar
As the weather heats up once more, households are being advised to place a bowl of water on their windowsill to help keep their homes cool. The Met Office has predicted another heatwave will be hitting Wales this weekend, spanning from Friday to Tuesday.
As warm temperatures are already setting in the heatwave itself is expected to kick off on Friday, August 15. The mercury is expected to climb into the upper 20s, and even lower 30s, particularly in the southeast where temperatures could reach 33°C.
The Met Office predicts that Saturday appears set to be the hottest day in this time period with places like Monmouth, Newport, and Chepstow potentially reaching that 33°C mark
For those staying indoors experts suggest a simple trick to reduce indoor heat using just a bowl of water. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
For those without access to costly air conditioning units an affordable and effective alternative is to strategically place bowls of water around the home.
Positioning a bowl of water on your windowsill or bedside table can aid in cooling your room through a process known as evaporative cooling.
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In essence as water evaporates it enters the air and lowers the air temperature. This principle mirrors how evaporative air conditioning units function, adding moisture to the air to cool it down, reports the Express.
Appropedia advises: "Water can be used to cool a room when you don't have air conditioning or want to save electricity. Evaporation is the best method and these methods are often referred to as a 'swamp cooler.'
"Find a few round bowls such as fishbowls. They should be medium to large in size.
"Fill with water. Place the bowls under a window. Every time the window is open the breeze will flow over the bowls of water and help to cool the air in the room.
"This method can also be used in large containers outdoors provided you don't live where mosquitoes are a health problem."
For enhanced cooling effects place ice cubes in a water-filled bowl and direct a fan towards it.
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As the ice dissolves the chilled air will circulate throughout the room, providing relief from the heat.
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