The climate change committee warns that more than 570,000 residences are not resilient to high temperatures.* So, before summer arrives, and with national sun awareness day in May, this month is the perfect time to prepare your home for the UK heat.

How does your home overheat?
In the UK, it is common for homes to overheat in the summer sun, as UK homes are built with reduced preparation for summer heat. In the UK, we often prioritise winter heat retention when building new homes and often overlook the potential of homes overheating in the summer.

As lovely as summer can be, it can also cause lots of issues and physical discomfort for others, increasing the risk of health conditions. The climate change committee announced that there were 4,500 deaths in 2022 that were heat-related, and they believe this figure could triple by 2050. * By ensuring you have prepared your home for the heat, you can enjoy the summer sun at its fullest.
Ventilation
When preparing your home for the heat, it’s important to ensure ventilation is the top priority. There are many ways to increase the flow of ventilation within a home, even by simply opening a window. Installing shutters on your windows can provide a more durable solution for home ventilation and enhance the value of your home. This allows your windows to be open for long periods of time, allowing air to escape and enter but also shading the sunlight from entering, reducing the amount of heat transfer.

Insulation
When you think of insulation, you instantly think about keeping warmth in a home, but insulation can keep the cold out during winter and the heat out during summer. By having good insulation, you can help maintain a cooler environment in your home. This can be achieved by installing double or triple-glazed windows or insulation in your home’s walls and roof. Since the sun is directly above your property, the most efficient way to keep the sun's heat out of your home would be by installing roof insulation.

Rethink your bedding
With summer nearly here, it’s time to prepare your bedroom for the warm weather. This can be achieved by changing your sheets and pillows to cooler and thinner materials. For example, buckwheat pillows do not absorb heat, so they are a great way to keep your bed and head cool in the summer. Using thinner, lightweight cotton sheets instead of a duvet allows for an increase in airflow and ventilation within your bed, ensuring you don’t have any restless nights in the heat.

Create shade
If you have a home with plenty of exposed windows, it’s easy for heat to access your home when the sun shines its rays through the glass. To prevent this from happening, it is a sensible idea to install awnings. These protect the windows from the sun, reducing the amount of sunlight, which results in less heat being transferred. Planting vines or trees around your home and letting them grow is another way to create shade. The vines reduce the amount of heat your property's bricks will absorb as they cover the entirety of your home. It is important to do your research before planting vines, as sometimes they can cause damage to the property.

Utilise your windows
When preparing your home for the summer heat, windows are a great way to introduce fresh air into your home. By just opening your windows slightly, you can encourage fresh air throughout your home. To make this air cool and fast-flowing, a good idea to place fans in front of the open windows with ice cubes placed in front, creating the effect of cold air in your home with minimal hassle.

 

Contact us today for more information on how to prepare your home this summer

The Guardian*