These 5 tips helped cool me down when I felt like I was on the brink of spontaneous combustion

The image is split into three parts, the left panel shows a blue smart light, the middle an evaporator fan in front of a window overlooking a mountain, and the last panel showing an air circulating fan.

(Image credit: Future / Dreo / Govee)

I have a love/hate relationship with summer. I love getting reacquainted with the sun and blue skies after seemingly endless months of British drizzle, but I loathe the lack of an air conditioner in my home, and I pretty much lose the ability to function if I’m stuck inside as the temperature skyrockets.

And while I felt totally validated in feeling like I was melting when the display on my beloved MeacoFan Sefte 8in air circulator was showing a temperature of 33 degrees Celsius in my living room (that’s about 91 degrees fahrenheit for those in the US), watching that number only increase throughout the day made it abundantly clear that my current tactics weren’t cutting it. This meant it was time to do some research and see what I could try in order to make things more bearable, without having to shell out on an air conditioning unit (and cringing as I watch my energy usage shoot up instead).

Turns out I chose the right time to switch things up, as the Amazon Prime Day sale is in full swing, meaning that things like the best fans that are often full price in the summer are available at discounted prices.

• See all of today's best deals at Amazon US
• See all of today's best deals at Amazon UK

I’m going to share my top five tips for keeping cool below. So have a read, and let me know in the comments if they’re helpful or if you have any other suggestions around beating the heat this summer.

Lights out

It feels like such a shame to block out the sun when the weather’s so beautiful outside, but doing so is one of the top ways to stop the temperature rising super quickly, especially in south-facing rooms. So shut those windows, draw those drapes, and close those blinds first thing in the morning, as this’ll help keep the heat at bay for a little longer.

If you’re anything like me and you prefer to keep the windows open so you can enjoy the fresh air, I’d recommend looking into buying an efficient air purifier. Having one of these running helps to circulate and freshen the air, and will help tackle extra pollen or pollution from having the windows open, too.

Ice, ice, baby

Teaming your fan with an ice pack is a great way to enjoy some cooler air. One of the easiest ways to do this is to place a bowl of ice (cubes, or just go ahead and freeze a whole bowl of water, if you have the time) in front of your fan. You want to ensure the air flow is passing as close to the ice as possible, to maximize cooling.

Alternatively, you could cut out the middle man and purchase an air cooler, which is a fan with an integrated compartment for water and/or ice blocks.

Use your fan wisely

Unless ice packs are involved, a fan doesn’t actually make the air any cooler; it just circulates it around. That’s not to say they don’t feel nice, they most certainly do, which is why I tend to have one pointed at me at all times on hotter days.

Fans do their best work when at night, however, using an air circulator when you have the windows open can really help to distribute the cooler air as the temperature drops. An extra tip is to open windows on opposite sides of the house to get a nice cross-breeze, too.

An air circulator would make a perfect purchase even if you’re lucky enough to own an air conditioner, as they help to spread that cooled air further into the room.

Take the LED

One tip is to switch up your bulbs for LED alternatives. This may sound silly, but anyone who still uses non-LED bulbs will know as well as I do that they can kick out a fair amount of heat. This may not be such a bother in the colder months, but it can make a surprising difference during a heatwave.

LED bulbs are plentiful these days, so it’s easy to make the switch, or it might be a bright idea to try out some of the best smart bulbs. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of an LED bulb, with the added bonus of building automations and routines. Smart bulbs with an adjustable color temperature prove particularly useful if you’re feeling in the dark after closing the drapes, as you can brighten things up in a hue that suits you.

Stay hydrated

Topping up your fluid intake is a must to avoid overheating in hot weather – and is highly advisable in general, as our bodies are much happier with us when we keep adequately hydrated.

If you’re already up on your hydration and drink plenty of water, then this will be a no-brainer for you, but some of us need a little extra encouragement to stay on top of our liquid intake. This is where kitchen gadgets like a SodaStream are a game-changer, as it’s much easier for me to stay on top of my hydration levels when I can make water fizzy and sweet.

SodaStream has been a popular household name for decades, and for good reason, as they make some great sparkling water makers. The Terra is one example, it's available in black or white, and features Quick Connect technology to make it easier to attach the CO2 cylinder, and Snap and Lock, so you don't have to faff about twisting and turning the bottle into place. This Prime Day, there's a massive 50% saving on offer, so you can get the Terra for £55 less.

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Cesci is a Reviews Staff Writer for TechRadar. She writes in-depth reviews based on her real-world testing across a variety of categories, but has a particularly keen interest in home tech, and has written features and reviews about gadgets ranging from headphones to smart lights to graphics tablets. She also has a broad range of experience from working in different industries, from sustainable materials and packaging to skin care.

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I can’t afford an air conditioner right now – but these 5 tech tips are making things more bearable during this heatwave