The exact hour people should open and close their window during 40C heat surge
The exact hour people should open and close their window during 40C heat surge
The UK is bracing itself for temperatures as high as 40C this week, meaning the return of a common heatwave question - should people keep windows open or closed
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Add us as preferred source Comments By Robin Cottle 12:48, Mon, Jun 22, 2026 Updated: 12:48, Mon, Jun 22, 2026 
With Britain melting in another sweltering heatwave, talk is again turning to wether people should keep their windows open or closed to beat the heat.
Forecasters predict that temperatures in parts of the country could rise as high as 40C this week, which would smash the all-time June record which has stood for 50 years.
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The Met Office issued a rare red alert warning for Wednesday (June 24) and Thursday for parts of the country, meaning that dangerous weather is expected with a high likelihood of risk to life.
With this in mind people are desperately trying to stay cool, but should you open your windows or keep them closed?
According to experts, that very much depends on how the outside temperature compares to the situation inside your house.
The experts at SCI Windows say: "There is lots of advice available on the internet, but the general rule is: open the windows if house temperature is greater than outside temperature. Otherwise keep them closed to keep the cool air inside, as long as possible."
They recommend keeping the windows open at night when possible and also first thing in the morning, before the temperature starts to rise again.
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They added: "Letting air circulate around the house is easily the best method of keeping inside temperatures down. By doing this, you should be able to create a flow of air, then cold air can be pushed through each room."
Alan Reid, windows expert at Art Windows and Doors, told the Manchester Evening News that people should start opening their windows at 8pm when the outside temperature starts to drop.
UK housebuilder and Ty Eco owner John Small reckons windows should be shut around 9am in the morning when temperatures start to rise again, according to Border Counties Advertiser.
Keeping windows open through the night comes with some obvious security implications. People are advised to see if your windows have a night vent lock (or 'night latch').
Many modern UK double-glazing allows you to lock the window while it is cracked open by about an inch. It’s not as powerful as a wide-open window, but it will still allow that vital night-time thermal exchange to happen safely while you sleep.
According to Dr Ben Roberts, a specialist in building performance and indoor environments at Loughborough University, explained how important it is to manage our homes during hot weather.
He said: "With overheating, it’s a simple heat balance problem. We have too much heat going in – and not enough heat going out.
"The sun’s heat comes through windows, hot air infiltrates from outside, and even everyday activities like cooking, watching TV or running appliances all generate heat inside the home.
“Many people open their windows during the heat of the day, thinking it helps – but it actually does the opposite. During the day, your home can be a cool battery. The last thing you want to do is bring in hot air.
"Instead, windows should stay closed during the day, with reflective blinds or light-coloured curtains drawn on the sunny side of the house. Then, when it cools down in the evening, that’s the time to open your windows and let the cooler air in.”
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
