Overheating occurs when the local indoor thermal environment presents conditions in excess of those acceptable for human thermal comfort or those that may adversely affect human health.

The main causes of a property overheating are:

• Solar heat gain
• Internal heat gains
• Poor removal of excess heat

Overheating in buildings has been highlighted as a key risk for the health and productivity of people and businesses in the UK. It is estimated that there are about 2,000 heat-related deaths each year in England and Wales. The government’s stated ambition is to build 300,000 homes per year. Most of these properties will be inhabited by 2080 when temperatures are projected to have risen by a range of 1.2 – 8.1 degrees in England under the medium emissions scenario and, if no action is taken, by 2050, an estimated 7,000 people will die prematurely from heat-related causes (though not all in homes) annually (CCC 2015).

Part L: Regulations for energy efficiency in buildings, covering insulation, heating, lighting, and ventilation to reduce carbon emissions.

Part O: Regulations for preventing overheating in buildings, ensuring proper ventilation and shading to keep indoor temperatures safe.

We use various methods including temperature modeling, thermal imaging, and an evaluation of factors like insulation, window placement, and ventilation to determine the risk of overheating in a home.

Overheating is often caused by factors like inadequate ventilation, excessive glazing (large windows), poor insulation, and a lack of shading. Building orientation and building design can also play significant roles.

Yes, the UK government and building codes are increasingly addressing overheating risks as part of new construction standards. This is especially relevant for builders and architects to ensure compliance with modern energy efficiency and comfort standards.