The whole world is experiencing temperatures that are hotter than ever before, especially during summer. This is due to a number of factors, including global warming; however, global warming isn’t something that we can deal with overnight. It is something that people need to deal with now, making adjustments to their homes to help deal with the increasing temperatures.
The Existing Problems
In the UK, the homes were designed to help keep the warmth in the property. This is because most of the year, it is mild weather, and when summer does arrive, they are not overly warm. Now that has all changed, and summers are significantly warmer, along with winters also being warmer.
Homes are not equipped with air conditioning, unlike those in many other countries around the world. This includes high-rise properties in city centres where the heat rises. Not to mention that in well-built urban areas, the temperature will be much warmer as it naturally retains more heat.
Dealing With Heat Passively
There are a few different things that people can change about their homes. One of those includes thicker insulation, such as with conservatory insulation and wall insulation. It is common knowledge that people get insulation for their homes to help keep the warmth in; however, it can also help to keep the cold out, helping to retain a more consistent temperature for a home.
Reflective roofs are also becoming more common as this helps to reflect the heat and sunlight away from the property. Improved ventilation is something that some countries do well, but many don’t do well, and the UK is one of those.
Smart Homes
Thanks to technology, homes are becoming much smarter, and we don’t mean intellectually. Now, homes will have smart thermostats which adapt to the weather. For example, if the weather has dropped outside, your smart thermostat will detect this and ensure that the temperature is warmer inside your home by turning on the central heating.
Cooling technology is also becoming more common in homes, especially in UK properties. Not only are we talking about air conditioning, but we are also including evaporative coolers and fans. Furthermore, smart blinds and automated windows are also being integrated into a modern home.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Solutions
Modern homes are moving towards a sustainable future, using eco-friendly materials to help make properties more insulated. There are more and more buildings using shrubbery and trees on the outside walls to keep them more insulated. Heat reflective paint and coatings can also be applied to a building to help keep a property more sustainable.
More and more natural materials are being used for the construction of residential properties. Plus, construction engineers are reusing existing materials that aren’t damaged to save money and be more eco-conscious.
Regarding natural materials, stone, clay and bamboo can be used for a home, especially with the interior design.
A Change in Lifestyle
One thing that is for certain is that people will be changing their whole lifestyles in terms of their homes. For example, daily routines are already making a shift to ensure that a property remains cool throughout the day, especially in the bedrooms. The design of a bedroom will ensure that it stays cold by using lighter fabrics, breathable bedding and indoor plants.
As there are more and more jobs offering a hybrid working environment or even full-time working from home, people are creating areas in their homes to work. As they can also work on flexi-time, more people will be working in the evening when it is cooler and getting themselves outside in the sun to enjoy the day.
Preparing For Net Zero 2050
Many countries, including the UK, are preparing to be net zero by 2050. This includes residential homes. These properties are equipping themselves with technology that ensures they are prepared for net-zero. For example, more and more solar panels are being installed on a property. Powering cooling systems is also becoming more common for the average property. The convenience of a property is becoming far more important than the actual design of a home.
To Conclude
More people need to become conscious of the rising temperatures, and there are a lot of things that need to be changed for that. It needs to be accepted that these rising temperatures are now a normality rather than just being once every few years. Even in the winter months, we can see that the temperatures are rising. This is why we need to ensure that modern homes are equipped with the right technology to ensure they can cope with all temperatures.
Homes should be designed for health and well-being, not just for a nice and sleek design that looks good. The temperature can affect well-being significantly, so it is important that these changes are made so people can enjoy the comfort of their homes.