Most British homes will need shutters and air-conditioning units due to rising overnight temperatures, a government report has warned.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero revealed that households not fitted with such equipment by 2030 could surpass temperatures of 26C during the night.
Temperatures exceeding this bench mark are believed to negatively impact the of ones sleep and have been connected to heat-related deaths.
Low-income homes, ethnic minorities and those 65 years old and over are understood to be at the most peril of falling victim to overheating due to where they live, the types of properties they live in and health issues, the Times reports.
Homes on the higher floors of block buildings are more likely to surpass the 26C benchmark, with detached homes and bungalows less probable to fall victim to overheating.
The reports conducted by the government department found that effective tactics in tackling overheating included painting roofs white as well as external shutters.
Despite this advice installing the devices may prove a challenge for some UK households due to heritage issues as well as restrictions with window space.
Most British homes will need shutters and air-conditioning units due to rising overnight temperatures, a government report has warned
Low-income homes, ethnic minorities and those aged over 65 are expected to be the worst hit by exceeding night temperatures
The reports also concluded that air conditioning may be vital in keeping houses colder as warmer months ‘become more prevalent’ during the second half of the century.
Even though only three percent of UK homes are believed to have air conditioning currently, researchers believe this will sky rocket to 79 percent by 2085.
And although flooding is believed to be Britain’s biggest threat in the battle against climate change there is growing fears among professionals about heatwaves, with scorching summers seeing increased heat-related deaths.
Between last June and August, heat-related deaths were up by by 3,271 more deaths when compared with the average over the last five years, according to The Times.
it is anticipated that by 2030 if emissions remain low around 14.3 per cent will have homes overheat at night.
However if emissions rise so too do homes exceeding the 26C threshold, with 22 per cent likely to have warmer properties overnight.
Richard Lowes from energy think tank – the Regulatory Assistance Project – believes England’s biggest cities, London and Birmingham, will suffer the most.
But with warmer homes comes less need for high levels of central heating, with annual use predicted to plummet from 11,500 kWh to 10,453 kWh.
22 per cent of UK homes will exceed the 26C threshold if emissions remain high
Even though only three percent of UK homes are believed to have air conditioning currently, researchers believe this will sky rocket to 79 percent by 2085
‘Shutters are the most basic thing, that is why hot countries have them. But they are tricky to retrofit,’ he told The Times.
‘Consider a block of flats in London: with glass facades or tower blocks it is very difficult to place them.
‘On period buildings it’s easier, but we don’t really do it. We don’t really have a market for it.’
Dr Jim Parker from Leeds Beckett University also added that his research indicates that introducing energy efficiency methods such as insulation and double-glazed windows can also keep houses colder in the summer months.
