From 18% to 80%: Are UK homes prepared for hotter summers?
As UK summers become hotter, overheating in homes is becoming an increasing challenge for residents. House Krowd explores how climate change is changing the way we think about healthy homes, energy efficiency and creating safe, comfortable places to live all year round.
Are We Still Building Homes for Yesterday’s Climate?
For decades, conversations about healthy homes have focused on one priority:
Keeping people warm.
Insulation. Double glazing. Draught-proofing. Energy efficiency. These improvements have helped many residents stay warmer during winter, reduce energy costs and improve the efficiency of our homes.
But as the UK's climate changes, a new question is emerging: Are we doing enough to keep homes comfortable during hotter months too?
A growing challenge for UK homes
Recent research has highlighted a significant shift in how residents experience their homes during periods of extreme heat.
A landmark study led by the University of East London found that the proportion of UK households reporting summer overheating increased dramatically over the last decade, rising from 18% to 80%.
While this research reflects reported experiences rather than official government housing statistics, the scale of the change highlights an important issue:
Many homes are struggling to stay comfortable as summers become hotter.
For residents, this is not simply about discomfort.
Excessive indoor heat can affect sleep, concentration and everyday wellbeing. For older residents, young children and people living with existing health conditions, overheating can create additional risks. A safe home should support people throughout the whole year not just during colder months.
The insulation challenge
For many years, improving energy efficiency has rightly been a priority.
Homes have been upgraded with:
Better insulation Improved windows Increased airtightness Measures designed to reduce heat loss
These improvements help keep homes warmer in winter and reduce wasted energy. However, they also highlight a new challenge. When temperatures rise, some homes can struggle to release trapped heat.
The same improvements designed to keep warmth inside during January can sometimes make it harder for heat to escape during July.
This does not mean energy efficiency improvements are the wrong approach. It means we need to think about homes differently.
Homes designed for a different climate
Many UK homes were built at a time when extreme summer temperatures were not a major consideration. Today, that assumption is being challenged.
The UK's record-breaking heat events, including temperatures exceeding 40°C in 2022, have changed the conversation around how homes need to perform.
Features such as:
.Large south-facing windows .Limited shading .Poor natural ventilation .Single-aspect flats with windows on only one side
can all contribute to overheating during prolonged hot weather.
For residents living in apartments, especially flats with limited airflow, keeping homes comfortable during heatwaves can be particularly challenging.
Expanding the conversation around healthy homes
Housing conversations have traditionally focused on important issues such as:
.Damp and mould .Cold homes .Energy affordability .Building safety
These issues remain critical. But as our climate changes, overheating is becoming part of the conversation around what makes a home safe and healthy.
A home should not only protect residents from the cold. It should also provide comfort and safety during periods of extreme heat.
Building homes for the future
The answer is not to stop improving energy efficiency. The challenge is creating homes that work in a changing environment.
Future homes will need to be:
✓ Warm in winter ✓ Cooler in summer ✓ Affordable to run ✓ Healthy to live in
Housing needs to adapt alongside the world around us.
How House Krowd sees it
At House Krowd, we believe great housing is about more than properties. It is about people, communities and creating places where residents can thrive.
The conversation around healthy homes must continue to evolve. Damp and mould remain vital issues. Energy efficiency remains essential. But as summers become hotter, overheating deserves a place in the discussion too.
Because every resident deserves a home that is safe, comfortable and healthy, whatever the season.