How will this affect you?

The recent heatwave that hit the UK during July Summer of 2022 has highlighted once again the issue of climate change. According to experts, heatwaves are likely to become more regular and more extreme in Europe, including Britain.

It seems to be an unshakeable fact that global warming has increased the frequency of extreme weather events, including floods, storms, droughts and heatwaves. This is generally attributed to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Some studies reveal that the chances of temperatures in the UK reaching 40 degrees centigrade, as experienced recently in certain parts of the country, is now much higher than 100 years ago. Extreme heat can result in a number of undesirable consequences including damage to property, an increase in allergies and health issues, more wildfires in susceptible areas, and also more disruptions in travel.

In the UK our infrastructure is adapted primarily towards a cold climate, so homes have been designed and built, or upgraded with insulation, to retain heat during the winter. However, our living and working spaces must now become more efficient to cater for a wider range of temperatures to also keep the heat out in the summer.

A report in 2021 from Britain’s Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy reveals that less than 5% of homes in England have an air-conditioning system installed. Of these, the vast majority are portable units. But if and when British summers become hotter and more uncomfortable for those who are housebound or work from home, as more and more people now do, air conditioning units will become a much more desirable option.

But what can we do now to improve the situation?

Most residents have little choice other than opening a few windows or setting up an electric fan to create some airflow. The main alternative is to get an air conditioning unit installed which can be quite costly, especially when running costs are taken into consideration.

For homeowners who have conservatories, the conservatory which we love to use in the summer can particularly become unbearably hot and uncomfortable to sit in. So what might be the solution in this case?

Apart from having an air conditioning unit installed, another solution, and one that has other benefits as well, is to have your conservatory roof replaced with a thermal insulation barrier and new roof panels. This can cut down the heat from the sun considerably on very hot summer days. This means that the conservatory will remain much cooler, but it also has the benefit of cutting down outside noise (including rain spatters on the roof on rainy days), keeping insects out and maintaining a clean interior, as well as improving the appearance internally and externally. It will also reduce furniture fabrics fading due to prolonged exposure to the sun.

The other big advantage of course is that it also prevents heat loss on cold winter days.

One thing seems almost certain. The climate is slowly changing and temperatures each year are increasing during the summer months. So its worth considering your options and how you plan to cope with these changes.

If you would like more information about conservatory roof insulation and how it can be of benefit during the summer and winter months then contact Conservatory Insulation Specialists Ltd today for free advice.