# HeatWave: Smart Window Alerts — Open windows at the right time > Smart window alerts based on indoor and outdoor temperature forecasts. (iPhone/iPad app by Christopher Hefferman.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heatwave-smart-window-alerts/id6773258116 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Christopher Hefferman](https://appshunter.io/developer/1444958558) - Category: Weather, Utilities - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.6 · 29 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-05-28 - Data updated: 2026-08-14 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heatwave-smart-window-alerts/id6773258116/reviews.md ## What is HeatWave? A heat wave's worst trick is making you feel powerless. HeatWave is the simple, beautiful way to take back control of your home's temperature — without an air conditioner. Most of us already know the trick: open the windows when it's cooler outside, shut them when it gets hotter. The problem is knowing exactly when. HeatWave watches the weather forecast for your location and your indoor temperature, then quietly pings you 30 minutes before the air outside is about to cross the air inside. Open up just before it gets cool. Shut up just before it gets warm. That's it. HOW IT WORKS HeatWave uses Apple Weather to fetch a fresh, accurate forecast for your exact location. It uses your HomePod's built-in temperature sensor via Apple's Shortcuts app to know how warm it is inside. A guided setup wizard walks you through everything in under five minutes — tap the shortcut once, point it at your HomePod, then schedule when it runs. The more often the shortcut runs, the more precise your alerts become. HeatWave suggests a sensible minimum (hourly between 7–10am and 6–9pm) and tells you how to fine-tune it further. ON THE DASHBOARD A single screen tells you everything you need to know: • A bold status card that says "Open the windows" or "Shut the windows" right now. • Side-by-side cards showing your live indoor and outdoor temperatures, with timestamps so you always know how fresh the data is. • A countdown to the next change — "Open in 1h 24m" — with the forecast temperature at that moment. • A 12-hour bar chart of upcoming outdoor temperatures so you can plan your day at a glance. WIDGETS FOR YOUR HOME SCREEN Add HeatWave to your home or lock screen and you may never need to open the app. Small, medium, and large widgets show the current recommendation, your inside/outside temperatures, and a live countdown to the next window change. Lock-screen accessory widgets (circular, rectangular, inline) keep an eye on things at a glance. NOTIFICATIONS THAT FIRE 30 MINUTES AHEAD Get a gentle ping half an hour before each crossover, with the projected outdoor temperature so you can decide if it's worth getting up for. A built-in buffer prevents flip-flop alerts when temperatures wobble. WHY HEATWAVE • No air conditioner needed — works with the windows you already have. • Saves electricity and protects you from heat exhaustion in countries unprepared for high temperatures. • Beautiful, friendly UI with subtle haptics and warm gradients. • Privacy-first: everything lives on your device. No accounts, no servers, no tracking. • Fully localised in six languages. REQUIREMENTS • HomePod mini or HomePod 2nd generation (for indoor temperature) • iPhone running iOS 17 or later • Apple Weather (WeatherKit) for outdoor forecasts A heat wave doesn't have to leave you sweating. With HeatWave, your home gets a head start every time the air outside changes. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - Real-time indoor/outdoor temperature display - Forecast-based opening/closing alerts - 30-minute advance notifications - Home screen widgets - Privacy-first, no servers or tracking - Multi-language support ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Coffee Money Tip | $2.99 | one-time | | Pint Money Tip | $4.99 | one-time | | Dinner Money Tip | $14.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (1 of 1) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heatwave-smart-window-alerts/id6773258116/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Keep Cool - Save Energy *2026-07-11* I created a simple shortcut for a similar task but this is a fully fledged professional implementation. I’m really happy with the app. Finally, I’m using technology to do a simple task and it means I don’t need my air conditioning anymore. I can stay cool and save energy using this simple app. **Developer response:** Thanks very much for the 5-star review, it’s very much appreciated and I’m pleased you’re enjoying the app and managing to stay cool in this ridiculous heat we’ve been having! ## Frequently asked questions about HeatWave ### What devices are required to use HeatWave? HeatWave requires an iPhone running iOS 17 or later. For indoor temperature readings, a HomePod mini or HomePod 2nd generation is necessary. It also utilizes Apple Weather for outdoor forecasts. ### How does HeatWave help save energy? By alerting you to open windows when it's cooler outside and close them before it gets too hot, HeatWave helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without relying on energy-intensive air conditioning. ### Does HeatWave have ads? No, HeatWave does not contain advertisements. The app is designed with a privacy-first approach, meaning all data processing happens on your device without servers or tracking. ### How often is HeatWave updated? The app was last updated on July 11, 2026, with version 1.0.4. This indicates a recent update, suggesting ongoing development and support from the developer. ### What is the age rating for HeatWave? HeatWave has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. The app's interface and functionality are designed to be straightforward and accessible. ### Can I use HeatWave without a HomePod? While HeatWave can be installed on an iPhone, it requires a HomePod mini or HomePod 2nd generation to access the indoor temperature sensor. Without a HomePod, the app cannot provide its core functionality of comparing indoor and outdoor temperatures. ### How does HeatWave compare to other weather apps? Unlike general weather apps, HeatWave focuses specifically on actionable alerts for window management. It integrates indoor temperature data from your HomePod, offering a unique approach to home climate control. ### Is HeatWave available on Android or iPad? HeatWave is currently supported on iPhone and iPad devices. The app's functionality is tied to iOS features, including Apple Weather and HomePod integration. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.0.4 — 2026-07-11 New: pin the weather to your home The forecast can now stay locked to your house instead of following your phone — so you get the right window advice even when you're out. Set it up during onboarding or in Settings. Plus a refreshed setup flow and design polish throughout. Thanks for using HeatWave! ### 1.0.3 — 2026-06-24 Some stability fixes in notifications firing and widget updates. ### 1.0.2 — 2026-06-23 Correction d’un bug qui empêchait parfois le widget de se mettre à jour correctement. ### 1.0.1 — 2026-06-01 Welcome to version 1.0.1 of HeatWave: Smart Window Alerts! This version fixes an issue where the widget would become stale too quickly as well as a few other minor bug fixes. ### 1.0 — 2026-05-28 No release notes. ## Apps similar to HeatWave | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Weather: Smart Alerts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/weather-smart-alerts/id6755877033) | — | Free | Weather | | [coolhouse](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coolhouse/id6782636321) | — | Free | Weather | | [Metevia](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metevia/id6787199127) | — | Free | Weather | | [Peeky: Weather Forecast](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/peeky-weather-forecast/id6768262403) | — | Free | Weather | | [iBarometer - Barometer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ibarometer-barometer/id6787407049) | — | Free | Weather | | [Window Season](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/window-season/id6773955082) | — | Free | Weather | ## More apps by Christopher Hefferman - [LotR Quiz](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lotr-quiz/id1446587245) - [Video Game Tracker: Game Shelf](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/video-game-tracker-game-shelf/id6448657649) - [Drone Map & UAV Forecast](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-map-and-uav-forecast/id6517355015) - [Fishing Spots: Location Map](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fishing-spots-location-map/id6569245317) - [Mood Tracker: Emotion Diary](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mood-tracker-emotion-diary/id6575394349) - [Game Feed](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-feed/id6737129752) All apps by Christopher Hefferman: https://appshunter.io/developer/1444958558 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-14.*