As temperatures in the UK approach 40°C, many Britons are finding their homes—especially new builds and those with trendy bifold doors—becoming unbearably hot. Social media is filled with complaints, with some homeowners planning to move to escape the heat. The Climate Change Committee reported in May that 92% of British homes are prone to overheating during extreme temperatures, stating the UK is 'built for a climate that no longer exists.'
New Builds: Designed for Winter, Not Summer
New builds are highly insulated and energy-efficient for cold winters, but this design traps heat in summer. TikToker Rosie Montalbano said: 'Now I've moved into a new build house, I'm only just discovering how hot it can get in the summer. It is hotter in this house than it is outdoors. It's unbearable.' Mum Abigail Kendal added: 'It's 30 degrees outside and you're trying to keep your 9 month old entertained while living in a new build house.'
Cerys Gardiner, 26, from the East Midlands, bought a new build with a five percent deposit match but has spent £1,200 on wooden shutters for four windows. 'It is very hot in here, I won't lie. I was hanging up blankets on all the windows,' she said. She still needs shutters for her back double doors, where 'the heat by the end of the day is insane.'
Bifold Doors and Glass Extensions: Turning Homes into Saunas
Homes with large glass doors or extensions are particularly affected. Frances Barton, 43, from Berkshire, installed a 4m glass sliding door to brighten her home but now calls it 'a hot box, or a sauna.' She said: 'It was 30 degrees inside at 7am today. We can't open the curtains because we'll boil. There's no point opening the actual door because it just lets the hot air in, and it will cost us thousands to get specialist film to reflect the light.' She added that the lounge is 'completely unusable' in summer.
Abigail Thomas, 38, from Kent, has a south-facing living room with bifold doors and extensive windows. She spent hundreds on partial blackout blinds and is considering installing air conditioning. 'We had blinds fitted last week... we decided ahead of this summer to get these blinds fitted,' she said. She inherited air conditioning in her bedroom but plans to extend it to the rest of the house.
Health Warnings and Government Advice
A red heat health warning is in place across parts of Wales and England, with amber warnings elsewhere, indicating a threat to life even among healthy populations. The government advises avoiding outdoor activities between 11am and 3pm, staying in shade, and wearing loose, light clothing.
Tips to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning
The Red Cross recommends keeping windows covered and shut, closing doors to stop warm air entering, and avoiding heat-generating rooms like kitchens. For fans, Which? advises: don't run them in empty rooms; place them by a window if it's cooler outside; and put a bowl of ice in front of the fan for extra cooling. The Mirror has tested DIY hacks like tin foil on windows and using a hot water bottle filled with cold water.
