14 January 2025
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Ventilation supplier Klober says the issue of overheating in homes will become a greater priority when the Future Homes Standard (FSH) comes into effect this year.
Klober believes that rising temperatures and growing awareness of climate change are highlighting the critical need for effective ventilation strategies that support mechanical extract ventilation while also balancing airtightness. It is emphasising the importance of correctly installed roofing ventilation to address this challenge. These measures support mechanical extract ventilation which help to balance airtightness with effective airflow, ensuring homes meet regulatory requirements and provide healthier, more comfortable living environments.
Overheating has become a pressing topic in recent years and has led to the introduction of Part O of the Building Regulations, which specifically aims to limit solar gains and provide sufficient ventilation to remove excess heat. This responds to both the increasing climate change issues, while also helping to improve building efficiency.
Under the CIBSE TM59 methodology, properties can be considered to be overheating if the internal temperature of bedrooms exceeds 26°C for just a small percentage of the night, and this can have negative impacts on health and wellbeing. It can also be dangerous for the most vulnerable groups of people. In a report from Arup that was commissioned by the Climate Change Committee, however, it revealed that about 55% of the UK’s housing stock is classed as overheating in the current climate.
Nick King, Portfolio Manager at Klober, said: “Overheating is already a problem for many homes – with stifling temperatures being uncomfortable and known to cause issues such as exhaustion and generally triggering productivity to drop. It’s vital that, as a nation, we get on top of this issue, given that the global climate is expected to go up by a further 1.5 - 2°C in the next few decades.
“Where, for example, mechanical extract ventilation (MEV) systems are used, it is essential that effective outlets are in place to ensure their efficiency. Using high-quality roofing ventilation solutions helps to combat the overheating challenge while supporting overall building performance.
“There are different options available for ventilating the roof space, with different vents that can tackle different scenarios. By bringing awareness to the topic, we can begin to reduce this issue of overheating in the home, before the problem escalates.”
