BESA calls for residential cooling support as UK heatwaves increase

Government urged to expand heat pump support

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has called for policy changes to improve access to cooling in UK homes during summer.

The association, which represents firms responsible for heating, cooling and ventilation systems, said heatwave conditions are becoming more prolonged and dangerous, increasing the urgency of adapting domestic buildings.

BESA said its members have raised repeated concerns about overheating and indoor air quality, particularly in older homes not designed for sustained high temperatures.

Kevin Morrissey, technical director at BESA, said the current situation requires new measures: “We need an urgent rethink about how we cool and ventilate our homes, especially in our existing housing stock.”

He added: “Winter fuel payments were recently top of the political agenda, but a similar summer cooling scheme, targeted at vulnerable members of the population, now deserves serious consideration.”

Health effects and rising temperature trends

According to Morrissey, up to 80 percent of homes in the UK are now regularly overheating during summer.

BESA cited government climate projections showing that UK summer temperatures are expected to rise by between 1.3°C and 5.1°C in the coming decades.

The association warned that the impact of higher temperatures could include reduced productivity and more frequent health emergencies, particularly among vulnerable groups.

Morrissey said: “This will have a hugely detrimental effect on people’s health, wellbeing and productivity.”

He referred to findings from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which suggest that deaths related to the UK’s 2022 heatwave may have been underreported.

The British Medical Journal projects annual heat-related deaths in the UK could exceed 10,000 by 2050.

Need for revised building retrofit policies

BESA highlighted that existing government schemes could be revised to address heat resilience, not just energy efficiency.

Morrissey said the All Party Parliamentary Group for Healthy Homes and Buildings, which is sponsored by BESA, had proposed changes to the Warm Homes Plan, the Great British Insulation Scheme and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).

He stated: “Programmes like the Warm Homes Plan, Great British Insulation Scheme and Boiler Upgrade Scheme are designed to improve heating efficiency, but these could equally be used to help people who are just as vulnerable to heat as they are to winter cold.”

Morrissey added that without adequate ventilation and cooling, insulation can contribute to overheating, damp and poor air quality, which can further impact health.

Cooling capabilities of heat pumps

BESA said the government should modify the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include support for air-to-air heat pumps that offer cooling as well as heating.

According to the association, these technologies are underused despite their potential to reduce overheating and cut emissions.

Morrissey said: “It is a significant drawback that grant funding is not available for air-to-air heat pumps that provide cooling as well as heating.”

He added: “Not only could this help to tackle overheating but would also fuel additional market growth and help to reduce carbon emissions.”

BESA said this approach would be more adaptable and encourage broader uptake of heat pump installations.

Wider strategies for cooling and energy control

BESA cautioned that mechanical cooling alone is not a complete solution.

The organisation said a combination of interventions should be considered, including shading, insulation improvements and smart controls that can moderate energy demand.

Morrissey said: “Mechanical cooling/air conditioning should not be seen as a panacea.”

He added that cooling systems should be part of an integrated retrofit strategy that considers occupant comfort and building performance year-round.

BESA said improving indoor environments during both hot and cold seasons should be central to building regulations and retrofit policies.

BESA calls for residential cooling support as UK heatwaves increase: Summary

BESA has called for revised government policies to support cooling in UK homes.

The association said existing schemes could be adapted to support heat pump systems that provide both heating and cooling.

Kevin Morrissey, technical director at BESA, said summer cooling schemes should be considered for vulnerable people.

Government data shows that summer temperatures in the UK are expected to rise significantly in coming decades.

A study cited by BESA indicates that 80 percent of UK homes now overheat regularly.

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine suggested heatwave-related deaths may be undercounted.

The British Medical Journal said annual heat-related deaths could surpass 10,000 by 2050.

BESA urged expansion of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include air-to-air heat pumps.

Morrissey said grant support for cooling would also encourage emissions reduction and market growth.

BESA said cooling measures should include insulation, ventilation, shading and smart energy controls.