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Pilot study
Key findings
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Summertime indoor temperatures frequently exceeded 30 degrees Celsius, much above PHE’s threshold of 26 degrees Celsius.
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Overheating was found in many locations in the care homes regardless of the overheating metric used.
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The majority of residents said they felt ‘neutral’ – not too hot and not too cold – even at high temperatures, while staff found themselves ‘warm/hot’ at the same temperatures.
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Nevertheless staff were willing to put up with up with uncomfortably hot temperatures if they felt it was in the residents’ best interest.
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Solutions to tackle overheating:
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Night time ventilation
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External shading
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Reflective external walls
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Minimising internal heat gains
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Active cooling - fans and air conditioning


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