With the UK experiencing its hottest day in May for more than 80 years this Bank Holiday weekend, insulation specialist Actis is repeating its reminder that some insulations reflect heat, keeping buildings cool, while others make homes unbearably hot.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland recorded their highest temperatures of the year this weekend – 34.8 degrees in London, 32.2 in Flintshire and 25.8 in County Fermanagh, marking the UK's hottest May day since 1944. In Scotland, temperatures peaked at reached 25.5 in Berwickshire.
With the first amber heat health alert of the year issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office indicating a possible risk to life from heat-related health conditions, the temperatures meant increased demand for GPs and ambulances was likely.
Breaking the 32.8 degrees May record is around three times more likely in our current climate than it would have been in natural climate conditions before the Industrial Revolution, according to a Met Office spokesperson, who added that the previous one-in-100-year event is now around a one-in-33-year event.
Actis UK and Ireland Sales Director Mark Cooper said: "Specifiers and builders need to futureproof the homes they build to help us cope with the impact of regular heatwaves. And homeowners should look at retrofitting where possible to ensure that as well as keeping them warm in winter, properties stay cool in summer."
Some forms of insulation can make homes unbearably hot during heatwaves, but others, such as Actis' reflective insulation blankets, insulating vapour control layers and insulating breather membranes, including its two-in-one Eolis HC, can actually keep them cool in summer, reflecting around 94% of infrared radiation.
Cooper added: "With architects obliged to limit unwanted solar gains and provide a way to remove heat from residential dwellings under Part O of the building regulations, installing reflective insulation can help protect the health and comfort of the occupants. This is in combination with the strategic siting of windows in new builds and drawing curtains."
