One in six Britons are taking “drastic action” such as sleeping in the kitchen, missing work, or booking hotels to cope with the extreme heat this summer, according to a study by the Citizens' Advice Bureau.
Millions trapped in homes they can’t cool
The Citizens' Advice Bureau said millions of people across the UK are “trapped in homes they can’t cool”, finding almost half - 44% of respondents - feel they lack basic control to stop their houses overheating. It is demanding Government action on a “now year-round crisis” of “soaring heat in summer and unaffordable energy bills in winter”.
Action taken by those struggling to cope included sleeping in unconventional places like the kitchen, garden, or on a balcony, taking sick days, unpaid leave or annual leave, or paying for hotels. A further four million said they had to use makeshift solutions like taping tin foil, cardboard, or damp sheets to windows.
Poorly designed homes act as ‘heat traps’
The study found poorly designed homes, which act like “heat traps”, and the high cost of cooling equipment such as air conditioning were making people feel helpless against the hot weather.
Half - 51% - of tenants – including those who rent privately and those in social housing – felt they lack the basic control needed to stop their homes overheating, compared with 40% of homeowners, the poll found.
The study also found 90,000 heat network consumers were unable to turn off their central heating even in summer.
Citizens Advice chief executive calls for action
Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: “For far too many people, a summer heatwave doesn’t mean enjoying the sun – it means being trapped in a sweltering home with no control over the temperature.
“We’re now facing a year-round crisis, where poorly designed housing stock is acting as a giant heat trap in summer and as an ice box in winter.
“The Government has a vital opportunity to help fix this through the Warm Homes Plan. By investing in better insulation, ventilation, and heat network upgrades, we can ensure people’s homes are warmer in the winter and safer and cooler in the summer.”
Government responds
A Government spokesman said: “We are changing the rules so that for the first time ever people can access grants for air-to-air heat pumps, which can cool as well as heat homes.
“We are already taking action to strengthen protections for tenants experiencing dangerous overheating and ensuring new residential buildings are designed to minimise unwanted heat from the sun.”
Expert tips for keeping cool
In response to the Citizens Advice study, Chartered Institute of Building’s Amanda Williams has outlined ways to keep houses cool.
Williams said: “To prepare your home for hot weather you can start with some really simple steps like installing internal blinds, external shutters or awnings; growing plants and trees outside which can provide shade, particularly in front of south-facing windows, checking any ventilation system in your home is operating in ‘summer mode’ if you have one, and speaking to recommended installers for advice about reducing overheating whenever you are insulating or refurbishing your home.”
Hot weekend ahead
The survey from Citizens Advice comes as Britons face another hot summer weekend, with temperatures set to escalate in most regions from Thursday through to Sunday.
As per the Met Office, Thursday will see sunny spells and scattered showers through the morning across the UK. Showers will fade through to the afternoon, though a few will continue across the northwest. Winds will be than Wednesday.
It may even feel cooler than as of late, but pleasant in the sunnier moments, a Met Office forecast read.
Tonight, showers will continue across the northwest of the UK, with longer spells of rain spreading eastwards across northern Scotland. Dry elsewhere, with lengthy clear skies. A rather chilly night to come.
Tomorrow, expect a dry and sunny day for much and England and Wales. Cloudier skies are to be expected across Scotland and Northern Ireland at times, with further rain across northwest Scotland. Warm in the sunshine.
Looking to the weekend, and Scots can expect rain across the north through the weekend. Warm and sunny elsewhere. Turning hot in the south. Dry for most on Monday, with temperatures on the very warm to hot side.
London can expect highs throughout the weekend of: Thursday: 22C, Friday: 25C, Saturday: 28C, and Sunday: 31C.
