Britons have been issued advice for keeping their homes cool as a heatwave looms this weekend – including unplugging laptops from the mains. The Met Office says the approaching Bank Holiday weekend will see an “exceptional spell of warmth for May with a notable heatwave forecast”.

Steve Kocher, deputy chief forecaster at the national weather service, said: “Temperatures will climb through the weekend, especially in the south, where 30°C is likely to be recorded on Saturday and 32°C on Sunday. Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday when we could see 33°C recorded in southern England and the Midlands.” He added that it is “likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures surpassing the existing record of 32.8°C”. “As well as it being hot, there will be lots of dry and sunny weather for much of the UK. There will, however, be more cloud and some showers in Northern Ireland and western Scotland through the weekend.

“With relatively low sea surface temperatures there is also likely to be some low cloud and sea fog clinging closely to western coasts.”

With temperatures set to rise as high as 32C from Sunday, British Gas has shared a number of tips for keeping the heat at bay in your home.

Peter Knowles, service and repair engineer at British Gas, said: “We all know how frustrating it is when our homes are hot and stuffy. The good news is that there are some practical steps that households can take to help keep inside temperatures down during the summer months.

“Things like doing your washing in the evening, keeping windows closed during the middle of the day or putting your fans on the floor are all small changes that can make a real difference.”

One of his tips is to unplug heat-generating devices like laptops, as they, along with chargers other devices release ambient when if left plugged in, even if they’re not actively in use.

During a heatwave, the heat from multiple devices can combine to exacerbate that stuffy indoor feeling, so unplugging what you’re not using will help keep rooms that bit cooler, Mr Knowles says.

His other heat-beating hacks include:

• Switching to cooler lighting possible
  • Traditional light bulbs can create a suprising amount of heat. For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb can release around 50 watts of heat into a room, while an LED with the same brightness emits only one to two watts, so it’s worth considering making the switch.
  • Smart lightbulbs, such as those available from Hive, let you control your lighting when you’re away from home through your smart home app.
• Do any batch cooking and washing at the start and end of the day:
  • Using ovens, hobs, tumble dryers and washing machines during the coolest parts of the day stops adding extra heat when temperatures reach their highest point
  • Mr Knowles advises batch cooking early morning or late evening, air-drying laundry outdoors if possible, and embrace lighter meals that you don’t need to cook during peak heat.
• Help your fridge run smoothly:
  • Fridges have to work harder when it’s hot, generating more heat in your kitchen. Checking the thermostat is set correctly, keeping the coils at the back clean and free of dust, and defrosting regularly will help the appliance run more efficiently, thereby producing less excess heat.
• Keep windows closed during the day:
  • Though it might feel a bit counterintuitive, but during the daytime it’s best to keep windows closed to prevent warm air from getting into your home.
  • Light-coloured curtains or blinds in heavier fabrics can also be effective at blocking heat provided they’re kept closed.

• Thoughtful positioning of fans:
  • Placing fans at floor level to circulate cooler air rather than pushing warm air around at head height can also help. The expert also recommends trying pointing a fan out of the window in the evening to push hot air out.
  • Opening windows at night will also provide natural ventilation without having to keep fans running constantly.
• Create natural cooling:
  • Hanging a damp sheet in front of an open window during evening hours will also help to naturally cool incoming air
  • Those with south and west-facing windows that catch afternoon sun might also considerusing reflective window film to reduce heat and glare

He also advises taking steps to adapt your living space, like covering leather sofas with lightweight, breathable cotton or linen throws to make them more comfortable and moving activities outdoors to avoid heating up indoor spaces if possible.

You can find advice from British Gas about keeping cool when the mercury soars on its website.

They have also put together a video explainer on how to make sure your fridge and freezer is running as it should be. It comes as five yellow heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) come into place in England today due to the scorching temperatures ahead.

They’re put out when heat is likely to impact the health and wellbeing of the population. You can find out more here.