A warning by MPs that heat related deaths are likely to treble by
2050 has prompted insulation specialist Actis to reiterate its call for
architects and specifiers to create homes which stay cool in summer as well as
warm in winter.
The warning, by the government’s Environmental Audit Select
Committee, follows research which suggests heatwaves will become more common in
future.
Experts say prolonged increased temperatures combined with an
ageing population could see ‘excess’ summer deaths rise from more than 2,000 in
the heatwave of 2003 to 7,000 by the middle of the century.
The committee urges the government to take action to mitigate the
effects of the extreme heat – and among measures suggested are ensuring that
homes are built to remain at lower temperatures in the hot weather.
The call has been welcomed by Dan Anson-Hart, specification
manager at Actis, whose Hybrid insulation products are designed to help keep
houses cool in summer as well as warm in winter.
“While using reflective insulation alone will certainly not cure
the problem it will play an important role in enabling houses to remain at a
pleasant temperature,” he said.
“As well as helping homes stay warm in winter, reflective
insulation technologies have the specific ability to counteract heat transfer
via radiation. This helps to reflect the solar heat and keep the property at a
constant low relative temperature.
“No form
of insulation can address the significant effects of solar gain through windows
though. Neither can it make you an ice cream when you’re hot. Even we aren’t
omnipotent!”
