A brightly lit living room with closed blinds blocking the intense summer sun.
Vigo is bracing for extreme weather, with temperatures expected to flirt with 40°C on Friday, July 3, 2026. As the intense summer heat sets in, residents are looking for ways to stay cool without relying entirely on expensive air conditioning units.
Simple, cost-effective household habits can dramatically lower indoor temperatures. The most debated strategy is window management: when should they be open, and when is it better to seal the house?
The Midday Lockdown
Experts are unanimous when it comes to the hottest part of the day. During the central hours, you must keep your windows strictly closed.
It is equally important to lower the blinds, particularly in rooms that receive direct sunlight. This creates a physical barrier that stops the oppressive exterior heat from penetrating your living space.
When to Let the Breeze In
The strategy flips as soon as the sun goes down. Once night falls and temperatures drop, it is time to open the windows wide.
Leave them open throughout the night and into the early morning hours until the sun reappears. In many areas, a natural nocturnal breeze develops, which acts as a free, highly effective cooling system for the entire house.
Managing Your Appliances
If you rely on technology to assist the natural airflow, be smart about your energy consumption. Never run an air conditioning unit while your windows are open, as this wastes massive amounts of energy and drives up your electricity bill.
Fans, however, are a different story. You can safely run a plugged-in fan with open windows, since its sole function is to circulate the existing air through the room.
