The breaking point for me was a July afternoon in my Edinburgh flat when I was trying to bake a cake and the butter melted before I even got it in the bowl. My south-facing kitchen was unbearable, and I was avoiding cooking altogether. I tried blinds, I tried leaving windows open, I even tried cooking early in the morning when it was cooler. Nothing made a real difference. Then a mate who works in property maintenance mentioned Low E window film. I found https://www.tintfit.com/shop/energy-saving-insulation and decided to give it a go. This film has a microscopically thin metallic coating that blocks solar heat in summer and reflects heat back inside during winter. It's practically invisible once installed and can reduce solar heat gain by a significant amount. Installation was straightforward – soapy water, a squeegee, and about thirty minutes on the window. The difference was instant – my kitchen is now actually usable in summer, I can cook without sweating, and my food stays fresh longer. Bonus points: in winter, the same film helps keep the warmth in. It's one of those small changes that makes a huge difference to daily life. I just wish I'd done it years ago.