Warm weather in UK

Hoolie said:
We use our wide brim Bunnings straw hats brought back from Aus. They're considered plebian in Australia as they are widely used by road repair crews and other outdoor workers but they're good quality and practical so who cares? Not us!
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Sound just like the hats our neighbours wear in the field in Galicia
 
One thing that was brought to my attention last weekend was that, of course, our homes are designed to be warm in winter, and so can be excessively hot in weather like that of the last few days. Our Building Regulations give good insulation a very high priority, and many grants are available to improve insulation and install efficient heating systems, - but none are available for air conditioning!

The result was that yesterday (temperatures over 30°C) I struggled to keep my home cool, althoughI do have ceiling fans and a portable air-conditioning unit! Fortunately, my main living area faces north.

As you might guess from my forum name, I am happier at much lower temperatures!
 
lustyd said:
If you think hats are a problem it gets worse. I was reading a thread yesterday where a 6 year olds school has banned suncream. The child gets to school early and stays for after hours sports so applying beforehand is useless.
Modern Britain to a T though, convenience over science every time.
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I don't think that's representative of modern Britain at all. I haven't read the article but it seems likely one person has got a bit carried away and is currently drafting a "clarification" email right now!
 
ylop said:
I don't think that's representative of modern Britain at all. I haven't read the article but it seems likely one person has got a bit carried away and is currently drafting a "clarification" email right now!
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It's representative in the sense that we have a long tradition of people uncritically taking distorted bits of "news" as evidence of political correctness, health and safety, or the world in general having gone mad
 
AntarcticPilot said:
One thing that was brought to my attention last weekend was that, of course, our homes are designed to be warm in winter, and so can be excessively hot in weather like that of the last few days. Our Building Regulations give good insulation a very high priority, and many grants are available to improve insulation and install efficient heating systems, - but none are available for air conditioning!

The result was that yesterday (temperatures over 30°C) I struggled to keep my home cool, althoughI do have ceiling fans and a portable air-conditioning unit! Fortunately, my main living area faces north.

As you might guess from my forum name, I am happier at much lower temperatures!
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A well insulated house should also be easier to manage in the heat. Having spent your life in penguinland, it is probably something you haven't thought about, but it just takes a little thought.
No 1. Don't have my wife in the house. Her natural instinct is just to throw open all the windows, letting in all the hot air, and all in the name of 'breathing'.
No 2. Use shutters. Unfortunately, these are not often seen, but there is a reason why they are popular in hot countries. We have an external blind on the large patio doors and I lower this when I am allowed to.
No 3. Shade with curtains. Not as effective as shutters but still useful.
No 4. Air the house in the early morning before it gets hot.
No 5. Before it gets hot, seal the house, and with a bit of luck it should be 20 degrees cooler.
No 6. If overly hot, immerse one arm in cold water up to the elbow for a few minutes.
 
johnalison said:
A well insulated house should also be easier to manage in the heat. Having spent your life in penguinland, it is probably something you haven't thought about, but it just takes a little thought.
No 1. Don't have my wife in the house. Her natural instinct is just to throw open all the windows, letting in all the hot air, and all in the name of 'breathing'.
No 2. Use shutters. Unfortunately, these are not often seen, but there is a reason why they are popular in hot countries. We have an external blind on the large patio doors and I lower this when I am allowed to.
No 3. Shade with curtains. Not as effective as shutters but still useful.
No 4. Air the house in the early morning before it gets hot.
No 5. Before it gets hot, seal the house, and with a bit of luck it should be 20 degrees cooler.
No 6. If overly hot, immerse one arm in cold water up to the elbow for a few minutes.
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1-3 already used (well, 1 is not applicable, regrettably). 4 and 5 might work - but early morning at midsummer means about 4AM, and I am not likely to be conscious at that hour. 5 is impractical as I have a small dog who needs access to the garden.

The main problem I have is that I find temperatures much over 20°C uncomfortable.
 
finestgreen said:
It's representative in the sense that we have a long tradition of people uncritically taking distorted bits of "news" as evidence of political correctness, health and safety, or the world in general having gone mad
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That is exactly it. As is the case in most of these ' political correctness' stories in the so-called newspapers, they take simple true story and distort it to get sales/clicks and make political capital.
There is an issue that some children are allergic to some sun creams. Union guidance is that teachers should not apply suncream because of this risk unless they have written parental approval. Some schools have gone ' too difficult', parents must do it without thinking it through.
It's basic risk assessment and mitigation
 
Poignard said:
I don't mind heat so much as high humidity.
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And me. I've been in the desert and found it less uncomfortable than Texas and Louisiana.

Stopped for lunch at a place called Trèbes, 34 degrees but low humidity, gentle breeze. Very pleasant
Edit.
Wasn't quite so pleasant getting back into my little buzz box of a car with no Aircon and driving for an hour but I'm at the house now and enjoying a very cool beer
 

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johnalison said:
You don't appear to obese, judging by your picture, so I will have to assume that you are just one of those people I couldn't possibly live with.
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Well, the photo is 20 years old and I am heavier these days! But even then I was capable of overheating; I was issued with a big kit bag of clothing and ended up using very little of it. My BMI is 26 these days.
 
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