Seek out the breeze if you want to keep cool
sir – In hot weather, people should follow their own instincts, rather than Public Health England’s advice to close windows and curtains (Leading Article, June 27).
PHE forgets that the body mostly loses heat through air flow. This is true even when the air temperature exceeds that of the body; in such situations, heat loss is achieved through perspiration, and air flow is essential to carry away the moistureladen air layer. Hot weather is more tolerable in a breeze, even if the temperature is higher.
People should close windows and curtains on leaving the house (provided it is not already warm). On returning, it will feel cooler, but will soon become stifling unless air flow is restored by opening windows. Paul Gladwell
Northwich, Cheshire
sir – Now that it is hot, may I be the first to thank the railway companies for routinely informing passengers that they should drink water?
Mark Solon
London E1