The number of homes in England reporting overheating has almost doubled in five years, rising from 1.7 million in 2019 to 3 million in 2024.
New government data shows the share of occupied homes where households said they experienced overheating increased from 7% to 12%, underlining how extreme heat is becoming a growing problem inside British homes as well as outdoors.
Most households are still relying on basic measures to keep cool. In 2024-25, 89.7% said they opened windows, 74.7% closed shutters, curtains or blinds and 58.7% used a fan.
Only 7.5% reported switching on air conditioning, with owner occupiers more than twice as likely to use it as private renters. Around 8.7% of owner occupiers used air conditioning compared with just 3.7% of tenants.
Research and innovation foundation Nesta said the figures show more needs to be done to help households adapt to rising heat and humidity, particularly older people and those living in homes that retain heat.
Andrew Sissons, Director of Sustainable Future at Nesta, said: “Anyone sweltering in this long-haul heatwave will recognise their own experiences in today’s figures showing that the number of people reporting overheating in their own homes has almost doubled in five years.”
He said overheating was not simply uncomfortable but could reduce productivity and create serious health risks, with heat-related deaths rising among older and more vulnerable people.
Nesta argues air-to-air heat pumps could offer part of the solution because they provide cooling in summer and efficient electric heating in winter.
Built-in air conditioning systems are usually a form of air-to-air heat pump, meaning they can replace some fossil fuel heating while also helping households cope with heatwaves.
England remains well behind other countries on air conditioning, with fewer than 5% of homes having a system. That compares with 24% in France, 60% in China and 91% in Japan.
The Government has announced £2,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants for certified air-to-air heat pump installations, alongside £7,500 grants for systems such as air-to-water heat pumps.
A separate government report found air-to-air heat pumps, supported by electric heaters where needed, delivered greater combined heating efficiency in three of five home types examined when compared with other systems including gas combi boilers.
Nesta is calling for planning rules to allow more non-detached homes to install two outdoor heat pump units.
It also wants leasehold rules eased so flat owners face fewer barriers when installing heating and cooling systems.
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