Designing a house extension for hotter UK summers
Designing a house extension for hotter UK summers is something homeowners are increasingly asking us about.
At our Leeds architects practice, demand for home comfort upgrades such as air conditioning is also rising rapidly.
From Passive House design to external shading, here’s what we advise clients to consider for keeping cool.
Futureproofing homes – the wider climate context
New details of major building regulations, The Future Homes and Building Standards, have recently been revealed.
Because of these extensive regulations, all new homes will need heat pumps instead of gas boilers. In addition, most will require on-site renewable energy, such as solar panels.
The regulations come into force in 2028 and are a crucial part of the government’s bid to meet the legal target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the UK by 2050.
Experts have also warned that UK housing is unprepared for future climate warming, because designers originally prioritised heat retention.
How HVAC and Passive House can improve your home
Firstly, the gold standard for improving the energy efficiency of homes is Passive House design.
Here at our Wakefield architects, Passive House certified architectural technologist Tom Booth can help. There’s a lot to navigate, including requirements for super-insulation, airtight construction, high-performance windows and doors and more.
But, HVAC systems offer another option that suits most types of property, rather than just new homes in certain locations.
If you haven’t heard of HVAC, it applies to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. These ensure comfortable temperatures, good air quality and energy efficiency in both commercial and residential properties.
You can retrofit HVAC into existing homes, but new builds make installation much simpler. Today, challenges with existing properties include space constraints of buildings not designed to accommodate bulky ductwork.
For existing homes, HVAC installation is often easier during a full refurbishment project than as part of a standalone house extension.
Designing a house extension for hotter UK summers – how we do it
If all this sounds challenging so far, there are plenty of other ways to ensure your new house extension is comfortable even in extreme weather.
Our architects have worked on hundreds of projects across Yorkshire, so to keep things cool:
- Avoid using too much glass in your extension
- Choose high specification glazing
- Add external shading
- Investing in insulation
- Consider solar panels
Consider all of the above holistically. For instance, solar panels used to power air conditioning, electric cars, and maximised with battery storage.
Our Leeds architects regularly design house extensions for hotter UK summers that actually improve comfort year-round. And we know that with a changing climate, it is best to think long-term. Investing in these house extension measures now ensures long-term comfort as the climate continues to change.
Our Wakefield architects turn house extension ideas into reality
Whether you want a single-storey house extension for more space or a conservatory alternative to improve your home, we’ve got the expertise you need.
Studio J is a RIBA-Chartered architecture practice with more than 15 years of experience. We’ve worked on hundreds of house extension projects in Leeds, Wakefield and Yorkshire.
Chat to our team of Wakefield architects to start moving your vision off the drawing board.
