Is Your Home Ready for Climate Change? The Alarming Reality of Overheated UK Housing

Wondering what British summers might look like in the future? The picture isn’t bright. Instead of relaxing with a drink on a sun-soaked balcony, imagine struggling in overheated homes, battling droughts, and worrying about health risks, especially for the elderly and the young.

Simon McWhirter, the chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, has a stark message: “We are facing climate brutality.” The summer of 2022 hit over 40°C, and the Met Office predicts this could happen again within the next 12 years. In cities like London, an indoor temperature of 28°C could become the norm.

The UK’s infrastructure isn’t ready for this. Despite years of warnings, the Climate Change Committee has highlighted a serious lack of preparation. We aren’t adapting buildings and transportation networks to cope with the hotter weather.

McWhirter points out that our new homes do not meet the climate challenges we already face. Good ventilation is key. Homes need thoughtful designs with better airflow, window placements, and features like shutters and reflective paint. They should also be water-efficient to tackle drought.

Green spaces and trees play a role too. The UKGBC emphasizes the “3:30:300” rule: see three trees from your home, have 30% tree coverage in the area, and be no more than 300 meters from a green park.

There have been promises to improve home construction standards for two decades now. The “future homes standard” (FHS) was first introduced by Labour in 2008 and has faced numerous setbacks. The latest version is expected to be published soon, aiming for a rollout in 2027.

It’s important to note that the FHS has mainly focused on keeping homes warm in winter, overlooking the need for summer cooling. McWhirter warns that current drafts do not adequately address this growing problem.

On the brighter side, Steve Turner from the Home Builders Federation believes that well-insulated homes can be both warm in winter and cool in summer, making them more comfortable and cost-effective.

Air conditioning might seem like a quick fix, but it’s energy-intensive. The government is considering subsidizing air conditioning installation for the first time. This can be controversial, as the UK has focused on reducing fossil fuel use through energy-efficient heat pumps. However, air-to-air heat pumps can both heat and cool, providing a possible solution.

Globally, the demand for air conditioning is soaring. The UN has warned that this surge threatens to negate gains made with renewable energy. The UK government wants air-to-air heat pumps to replace older systems in properties like flats, which could reduce energy usage overall.

Even if the government meets its target of building 1.5 million new homes this parliament, these will still represent only a fraction of the UK’s housing. Upgrading the many existing homes will be much tougher.

In 2022, new building regulations aimed at preventing overheating were introduced, yet many newer homes still struggle with heat. While the government is exploring how to expand these regulations, there aren’t solid plans to retrofit older homes to keep them cool.

A government spokesperson acknowledged the challenge: “We know how important it is to keep homes cool in hot weather.” They promise to improve standards, but without enforced regulations, it falls to individual homeowners to decide. For now, simple solutions like shutters and blinds might be the best option for many.

Stay alert and ready for a warming world. The changes we make today will shape our comfort in the future.



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