Nearly two thirds (65%) of Brits agree UK homes are not designed to deal with intense cold or heat

• New resarch by VELUX, the world’s leading manufacturer of roof windows, finds that soaring energy costs makes it difficult for 76% of Londoners to feel comfortable in their home during intense cold periods
• Over three quarters (77%) admit it is difficult to feel comfortable in their home during periods of intense heat because they can’t sleep at night, 39% can’t get the temperature they want, 41% felt irritated or annoyed, and 45% can’t think straight
• 73% of Londoners want their homes to be more energy efficient –  35% don’t know how to keep it cool, and 40% don’t know how to warm it up
• VELUX shares energy-efficient and cost-effective tips on how make your home more comfortable, making sure it remains a favourite place

 86% of the London population agree that being fully comfortable in your home is ‘one of the best feelings’, but extreme temperatures over the winter and summer months can make it difficult, with 43% admitting their home surroundings are not always the ‘perfect temperature’.

The findings, released by VELUX reveal just how much temperature can impact people’s levels of comfort. Perhaps unsurprisingly, soaring energy and living costs are playing a big part, with many struggling to find ways to make their homes more comfortable and energy-efficient without breaking the bank. Over three-quarters (76%) of people who live in London admit it is difficult to feel comfortable in the home during periods of intense cold because they are thinking about the cost of energy, and 73% of respondents wish their home was more energy efficient.

While our homes aren’t typically designed to handle extreme temperatures or unusual weather patterns such as intense cold or heat, VELUX believes the spaces in our homes should feel comfortable; a sanctuary that people want to escape to rather than escape from. A favourite place.

Alex O’Dell, Market Director at VELUX said “It is looking like extreme weather is here to stay so protecting our homes from uncomfortable temperatures in cost effective ways is crucial. Anyone who owns their own home has a wide range of options for reducing their energy requirements, protecting the environment and their wallets in the long-term. We have some excellent advice and considerations to share ahead of the looming summer heatwave, and for the colder evenings, which show that reaching that optimal temperature in a cost-effective and energy-efficient way can be easier than you think.”

Energy efficient ways to improve temperature at home 

• Assess your current conditions 

Without energy-efficient measures a lot of heat energy can be lost through leaky windows, which also impacts the planet. New windows offer a significantly lower U-value for better thermal insulation and an optimisation of energy efficiency by 50 – 80%. Short-term cost-effective solutions to reduce heat loss include sealing windows and doors with caulking sealing strips or brush seals with little effort.

• Balance the temperature

With the right accessories, the temperature balance in the home can be perfected. An internal roller blind or a lowered roller shutter can reduce heat loss in the winter and prevent excessive heat in the summer:

• Designed for maximum light, helping to cool homes in the summer, and long-lasting performance, VELUX has launched the Nature Collection, a range of sustainability-themed blinds based on a significantly reduced CO2 footprint, made with both people and the planet in mind. Available in an array of colourways, in cooperation with the Danish trend agency PEJ, the blinds are now available.
• VELUX blackout energy blinds offer an effective solution for anyone with a VELUX window to save on their energy bills, providing insulation all year round, improving insulation by 25%
• Anti-heat awning blinds reduced solar gain by 70%
• Check and adjust current living conditions

You can improve existing living conditions by making small changes. For example, VELUX shutters prevent the sun from reaching the window and heating up the room by up to 87%. VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO automatically regulates your indoor climate and lets you control your windows, blinds and shutters with a simple tap on your smartphone.

• Behavioural changes 

Proper heating goes hand in hand with proper ventilation. Do not leave windows or terrace doors open for longer than ten minutes and avoid permanent tilt ventilation.

• In the summer, avoid overheating, with a nighttime window routine and window cracking. Also, heat transfers through windows, which can build up during the day, so consider keeping the curtains closed / blinds down
• In the winter, schedule short, controlled ventilation at fixed times of the day with the heating turned down. Deliberately only heating necessary rooms and keeping the doors inside closed also helps to lose less heat and save heating energy

As a global leader in daylight and fresh air, VELUX is the perfect solution to facing extreme temperatures at home, whether it’s a small accessory or a renovation, VELUX can help regulate indoor temperature and create better indoor climates, while helping you make the most out of your indoor spaces. Made with sustainability in mind, a VELUX roof window has a very long life, lasting up to 30 years with typical wear and tear. Built to last, they’re made from responsibly sourced, certified materials. 

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The cross-market research was conducted by Ketchum, with 8,000 people aged 25-65 years across the UK, Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium (2,000 per country). All statistics above are based on the UK market only.

For more information, images, or to speak with an expert at VELUX, please contact velux_uk@ketchum.com