Unfortunately summer is finally here and the heat is unbearable

My flat is currently at a motivation-to-do-anything-melting 25-26°C (well, it was when I started writing this), and I hate it.

Any home-cooling experts around?


All of my flat's windows face the same way (to the west). No options for a nice, chill through-draft.
A closed off balcony covers the entire width of the flat (with glass panes that can be slid to one side to open).
I've got roller blinds in all the windows. Currently all are lowered to prevent as much light (and associated heat) from penetrating as possible. Also have dimout curtains in the living room (both bedrooms are curtainless for now, but I will have blackout curtains installed in about a week or so).

Am I best off just investing in fans to provide some wind-chill effect, or can I do something (cheap-ish, ideally) to get some proper ventilation and cooling going?

I'm not an expert but this air circulator fan has been a life saver for me since I bought it a couple of years ago. It's pricey but for me its been worth every penny

https://www.meaco.com/products/meacofan ... circulator

The lowest cost solution would be to encourage air flow by having one fan pointing inwards by the window in the master bedroom and a rotating fan pointing outwards, placed between the doorways of the small bedroom and lounge, with both of those windows also open. This should create some air flow. Ideally though, you want to invest in an air cooler or aircon as if the air outside is warm, that's what you'll be pumping through. A large bucket filled with ice water in front of your fan is the cheaper short term solution.

We have two cats who we allow access to the garden, but not the roads outside. Our window design only really allows us to open them on the latch. It's going to be a tough summer! But hey, it'll save on the gas bill! Who said climate change was a bad thing?