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:

• Night time ventilation

• External shading

• Reflective external walls

• Minimising internal heat gains

• Active cooling​ - fans and air conditioning