The UK is struggling to keep pace with the impact of climate change. Average land temperature has risen by around 1.2°C from pre-industrial levels and heatwaves are becoming more frequent.
Since the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) last assessment five years ago, more than 570,000 new homes have been built that are not resilient to future high temperatures.
David Pratt, DBCP’s Building Control Manager, said: “Factors to be considered when building new homes in the climate crisis should include low-carbon, energy efficiency, water efficiency and climate resilience. By not factoring this into new builds now, developers are contributing to the climate crisis and increased energy costs for home owners as they struggle to keep their homes cool.”
But how do we keep our homes cool, energy efficient and compliant with building regulations? David added: “Often the very things we incorporate in the fabric of our homes to make them warmer, like double glazing and insulation, can also help make them cooler.”
From insulation and double glazing to cold showers and house plants, here, are 10 top tips, advice and hacks to help you stay cool at home this summer:
- Double or triple glazed windows – Energy efficient windows are mainly promoted for keeping heat in during the winter, but they can also help to keep the heat out during summer months. You will need building regulations approval for the installation of new windows to ensure they meet certain standards of efficiency.
- Close your curtains – It’s great to let natural light into the house but, if you’re out throughout the day, limit the amount of heat that can get into the house by keeping your curtains or blinds shut.
- LED light bulbs If you’re still using incandescent light bulbs, then it’s time to switch to LED lights. Incandescent bulbs are extremely inefficient. Only about 10 – 15% of the electricity that they use gets turned into light; the rest becomes waste heat. LED lights use 75% less energy, last 25 times longer, and run much cooler than standard incandescent lights.
- Home-made air conditioning – If a fan is not quite doing the job, try placing a bucket of ice and cold water in front of it to help circulate cold air.
- Don’t leave tech on standby – Electrical appliances, especially things like computers and televisions, can emit a serious amount of heat. To keep a cooler room, don’t leave your gadgets on standby or charging overnight. Leaving TVs on standby can also increase the risk of fire in your home. Turning off your TV will not only save you money – standby uses 80 per cent of a TV’s power – but will also help avoid a potential fire!
- Make the most of the sunshine – Whilst rising temperatures are an issue, the extra sunlight is something we can make the most of by installing solar panels. Not only will they cut your energy bills, but you can even sell your surplus energy back to your electricity provider.
- Ensure you’re insulated – Proper insulation not only helps your house stay warm in the winter but also helps to heat-proof it too. There should be good insulation between and beneath the rafters in your roof space, as well as between the walls and the roof.
- House plants – House plants generally help to clean the air by converting the carbon dioxide we exhale into fresh oxygen through photosynthesis. The plants will often release water into the air from their leaves, cooling themselves and the surrounding environment.
- Sleep downstairs – Remember – hot air rises! So, if it’s possible, create a comfortable bedroom/sleeping space downstairs in your house. It might make for a much cooler night’s sleep.
- Use your freezer – Do you find yourself warming up with a hot water bottle in the winter months? Well, it can work just as well for summer too. Fill hot water bottles with cold water and put in the freezer to create your ready-for-bed ice pack.
If you’re planning any home modifications or extensions and would like to discuss how DBCP can support you in making them energy efficient, please contact our friendly team of experts for advice and information on 0333 880 2000 or get in touch here.