UK Households Turn to Fans and Passive Cooling as Heatwaves Increase

A survey of more than 1,600 UK households showed that two-thirds used fans during the summer of 2022 while one in five used air conditioning. The vast majority of those air conditioning units were purchased during or after the 40°C heatwave that year.

Eighty percent of UK homes reported overheating in summer 2022, four times more than a decade earlier. By the end of this century, temperatures in the UK are predicted to exceed 40°C every few years.

Shading and shutters block sunlight before it enters buildings. Natural ventilation allows heat to escape during cooler hours. Reflective and light-coloured surfaces deflect solar radiation. Buildings can be oriented to minimize heat gain, and trees and green infrastructure can cool neighborhoods.

These measures are low-cost, quick to install and long-lasting. In Rome, window shutters are common and reduce the need for mechanical cooling.

In Spain, outdoor activities pause during the hottest hours and people remain more active in mornings and evenings. Curtains stay closed during the day and windows open at night. UK energy policy remains focused on winter conditions. Energy efficiency programs often overlook the risk of trapping summer heat inside well-insulated homes.

The UK needs to include overheating risk in housing policy and develop a plan to decarbonize cooling alongside heating. Public risk communication requires targeted campaigns to encourage proactive action before heat arrives. Early warning systems exist but many people still view 30°C as suitable for outdoor activities.