HEATING, VENTILATION & SERVICES
Beat the heat
Jason Bennett of Zehnder Group UK discusses ways to address the risk of overheating in homes, as summer temperatures begin to rise
T
he way we build our homes has changed. Allowing more natural light to enter the home – along with better insulation for energy efficiency are both high on self- builders’ wish lists. Yet this combination, coupled with solar gains from south- facing aspects, makes a property high risk for overheating a modern-day issue that is often overlooked. Climate change has led to increasing summer temperatures, and the Met ffice’s future climate projections suggest the temperature of hot summer days could increase again by between 3.8ºC and 6.8ºC.
Recent summers have already been characterised by extremes in the UK’s climate. Temperature records soared beyond for the first time, and large parts of the country experienced
may/jun 2024
unprecedented discomfort through overheating, causing many to leave their homes in search of cooler and safer dwellings. High temperatures in homes negatively impact people’s lives. It can cause serious problems with sleep as well as heat stress, and present other major health risks such as heat stroke, impaired sleep and in some cases, even premature death.
Building design often contributes to overheating in new buildings and yet the majority of self-builders are unaware of the dangers and don’t factor these into their plans.
DON’T BE A VICTIM OF OVERHEATING The UK Building Regulations provides guidance on mitigating overheating in residential buildings, and reducing
these effects. Its prescriptive approach to optimising glazing, solar shading and natural ventilation clearly outlines preferred solutions to keeping a property cool. However, problems occur when
external factors dictate that these passive means can’t be used to control internal temperatures and ventilate effectively. For example, if planning dictates that windows cannot be opened because of risk of noise, security, or pollution, then the regulations list alternative options. These could be acoustic facade ventilators and mechanical ventilation to mechanical cooling.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR PROJECT IS AT RISK, AND WHAT SHOULD YOU DO ABOUT IT? The first step is to seek an energy assessment or Standard Assessment
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