This summer, one question has dominated conversations more than any other: how are we going to keep our homes cool in an ever-warming climate? While many suggest the answer is air conditioning, researchers have now proposed a different solution.
The UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe, according to an analysis by the Health Foundation. But it's not just that Britain's homes are old – they also weren't designed to cope with extreme heat, something that became painfully clear during the late June heatwave (and as we enter this current one).
Many people have realised that fans and other cooling hacks fail to offer enough relief when temperatures climb above 30°C and homes turn into heat traps. As a result, debate has grown over whether European countries should now embrace American-style air conditioning.
Industry experts in the UK, however, are skeptical. "Air conditioning is going to be a bit of a problem for us at the moment because the electricity grid is not able to cope with that amount of electricity demand," Dr Ben Roberts, a senior lecturer in healthy buildings at Loughborough University, told the BBC.
Instead, Ben and fellow researchers from the university carried out an experiment using two identical semi-detached houses to test the effectiveness of one simple cooling measure: external shading.
One house was left completely unmodified, while the other was fitted with an external shading system resembling awnings, heat sensors and "heat boxes" designed to simulate the heat generated by occupants.
The results were striking. According to Ben, the shaded house had "considerable protection" from the heat, recording temperatures 6°C lower than the unprotected property.
"I think we will see [an] increasing amount of external shading on homes," he concluded.
External shading can take many forms, including awnings, trees and even full-scale cladding. Unlike air conditioning, it keeps homes cooler without relying on additional energy use, making it a more sustainable option.
The experiment also tested ventilation strategies and found that keeping windows closed during the day is also highly effective. "That might seem a little bit strange, but by keeping your windows closed, you are preventing hot air from coming indoors," Ben said.
While he believes external shading will become increasingly common, he says air conditioning may still not be entirely avoidable in certain situations.
"In future, as the climate continues to warm, in extreme areas, particularly when you can't open the windows due to noise or pollution, we may unfortunately see air conditioning."
For now, though, measures like awnings could offer many UK homeowners a practical and sustainable way to keep their homes cooler during a heatwave.
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Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
