Using UK climate change projections to adapt existing English homes for a warming climate

Assessing impacts of summertime overheating: some adaptation strategies

“…If the average temperature were to rise more, to 2.48C, for example, the histograms would shift 18C higher, with a corresponding increase in the number of homes at risk and may require additional strategies such as mechanical ventilation for adequate mitigation. This is consistent with the findings of other studies that suggest that adaptation of the housing stock over the coming years will be necessary if the adverse effects of overheating are to be avoided in future (Gupta & Gregg, 2012;Porritt et al, 2011).…”

“…However, to date, research into overheating in the domestic sector has focused on a small number of dwellings (Hacker, Connell, & Belcher, 2005;Orme, Palmer, & Irving, 2003) One study (Porritt et al, 2011) showed that temperatures in the living rooms of typical Victorian terraces could be maintained below the CIBSE overheating thresholds in 2080 (with a Medium -High Emissions scenario) with a combination of interventions such as exterior shutters and ventilation strategies. A similar modelling study (Gupta & Gregg, 2012) investigated the potential for adaptation of several typical English dwellings, but found that no combination of measures was entirely able to eliminate overheating risk into the 2080s. Both of these studies were limited to a small number of dwellings, and do not make comments about the vulnerability of the housing stock as a whole.…”

The impact of regulations on overheating risk in dwellings

“…Gupta and Gregg (2012) cite the Passiv-on project which found that the high levels of insulation is Passive House buildings in southern Europe worked to keep the building cool during warm weather. However, McLeod et al…”

“…McLeod et al (2013) does however point out that Passive House dwellings may offer marginally more protection from overheating than other highly insulated options (Findings for the 2050s heavy weight passive house greater than 25°C for 6.6% of the year whereas a heavy weight 'well insulated' building greater than 25°C for 8.2% of the year). The core reasons for these differences are unclear, although Gupta and Gregg (2012) when considering a range of 'typical' dwelling types in Oxford found insulation position to be of importance. As such insulation may be a 'double edged sword' (Hacker, Holmes, Belcher & Davies 2005) with increased insulation reducing winter heat loss but increasing overheating risk especially in air tight buildings where it is difficult to dissipate internally generated gains.…”

“…A number of authors have explored potential solutions to overheating in domestic buildings (for example see Gupta & Gregg, 2012, Porritt, Cropper, Shao & Goodier, 2012, van Hoff, Blocken, Henson & Timmermans, 2015. These studies found that adaptation measures such as shutters and fixed shading, reductions in solar/fabric gains, increased surface albedo and the use of thermal mass may help reduce future overheating, although the magnitude of the influence of thermal mass has been questioned (Kendrick, Odgen, Wang & Baiche 2012).…”