So, you’re in the market for a home? Next to location, energy efficiency and functional outdoor spaces, potential buyers are also increasingly looking for another key feature: interiors that don’t turn into a heat trap in summer.
If this season has taught us anything, it’s that keeping homes cool is becoming more important than ever. Three heatwaves (and counting) have shown that Britain’s old housing stock – among the oldest in the world – wasn’t built to withstand the extreme temperatures that are becoming increasingly common.
It’s no surprise, then, that cool homes are climbing buyers’ priority lists. ‘Buyers are increasingly prioritising properties with good passive cooling design, decent loft and wall insulation, external shading and well-placed ventilation,’ David Lakin, director at estate agent Harris & Birt, told House Beautiful in a feature about the rise of air conditioning in the UK.
Summer comfort, he added, ‘is a genuine and growing factor in buyer decision-making that estate agents did not see five years ago’.
But how do you know a property is actually protected from the heat? According to Glyn Ellis, residential architect at ED Architecture and contributor to MyArchitectAI, there are a few telltale signs buyers should look for before committing to a purchase.
1. Large south- and west-facing windows
Large south- or west-facing windows flood your home with natural light, but they also let in plenty of heat. It’s one reason why homes in hotter climates, such as those found across the Mediterranean, often feature smaller windows with shutters.
‘Big windows look fantastic,’ says Glyn. ‘But in summer, they can act like massive radiators. If you want the light without the heat, look for natural shade and solar control glass.’
2. Noticeably hotter upstairs rooms
If the upstairs feels much warmer than the ground floor during a viewing, poor loft insulation could be to blame. As heat rises, an under-insulated roof can allow temperatures to build up throughout the house.
‘If the bedrooms feel noticeably hotter during a viewing, you can assume that the loft insulation isn’t doing its job,’ Glyn explains.
If the property has a loft conversion, it’s also worth checking its completion date. Those built before 2010 are likely to have lower levels of insulation than newer builds.
3. Lack of natural cooling features
Good ventilation can make all the difference during a heatwave. Homes with windows on opposite sides allow for cross-ventilation, making it much easier to cool interiors naturally overnight.
‘Single-aspect flats are a nightmare in summer because air simply can’t move through the property,’ says Glyn.
Outside, mature trees on the south or west side of the garden also help keep interiors cooler by providing natural shade during the hottest part of the day.
4. South-facing conservatories
South-facing conservatories are another feature to watch out for, as they can raise temperatures throughout the house unless they can be closed off from the rest of the home.
5. No scope for future improvements
That said, a home that overheats doesn’t necessarily have to be ruled out if there are opportunities to make it more comfortable.
‘If you can gain planning and have space for an air-to-air heat pump condenser unit, it can completely change how a house feels,’ says Glyn. ‘It’s also worth investigating whether roofing materials can be changed, because dark roofing absorbs much more heat.’
As a rule of thumb, visit more than once
If you’re house hunting during warmer weather, try to arrange a second viewing at a different time, as conditions can change drastically throughout the day.
As Glyn says, ‘A property that feels comfortable at 10am can feel completely different by late afternoon.’
From oversized windows to a lack of natural shade, keeping an eye out for these warning signs during your next viewing could help you avoid buying a home that becomes unbearably hot when summer returns.
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