Taking steps to avoid the risks of over heating

For many years, one of the key focuses of care home design and management has been protecting residents from the cold winter weather. However, as our climate changes, the risk of overheating during the summer months is becoming an equally significant threat. 

In 2016, a study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation showed that overheating was already taking place in care homes, putting residents’ health at risk, but that awareness and preparation were lacking at all levels, from front line staff to designers.1New research by management and engineering consultant AECOM has revealed that installing effective insulation on pipe work in the communal areas of multi-residential buildings can significantly reduce both overheating hours and energy costs. 

Over the past decade, the UK has experienced record temperatures and a growing number of heat waves. Projections suggest that if global emissions are not reduced, average summer temperatures in the south east will rise by over 2˚C compared with levels in 2014.2Research also suggests that as a result of climate change, extreme weather events, such as heat waves, are likely to increase in frequency, intensity and duration.