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More than a third of people surveyed said their homes were not suitable for today’s climate—but that is a measure of residents’ perceptions, not an inspection showing that a third of UK homes fail a technical overheating standard. The finding comes from a MyBuilder-commissioned Opinium survey reported by Mortgage Strategy.
What the “more than a third” figure actually measures
Mortgage Strategy reported that Opinium surveyed 2,000 UK adults aged 18 and over for MyBuilder, with fieldwork conducted from 3 to 8 September 2026. More than a third of respondents said their homes were not suitable for today’s climate. The original report and full questionnaire are not available in the cited coverage, so the exact wording, weighting and response options cannot be confirmed.
The statistic captures what respondents said about their own homes. It does not establish how many UK homes exceed a measured indoor-temperature threshold, nor does it amount to a building-by-building assessment. That distinction matters: people may experience heat differently depending on the room, time of day, health, work and household circumstances.
What respondents said the heat was doing at home
The same survey reporting describes disruption to comfort, sleep and work. These are respondents’ accounts, not clinical findings or indoor-temperature measurements.
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| Reported experience | Survey finding |
|---|---|
| Heat negatively affected wellbeing | 37% of respondents |
| Poor sleep because of high temperatures | 46% of respondents |
| Bedroom became unusable during heatwaves | One in five respondents |
| Slept outside to escape indoor temperatures | 5% of respondents |
| Heat made concentration or productivity difficult while working from home | 18% of respondents who worked from home |
Each figure is from the MyBuilder-commissioned Opinium survey in 2026, as reported by Mortgage Strategy. The article does not provide the full question wording or breakdowns beyond those reported.
Why many households may struggle to adapt
In the reported survey, 37% said they could not afford the changes they wanted to cope with extreme heat. Among respondents with children at home, that figure was 51%. The findings point to affordability as a reported obstacle, but do not specify which adaptations people wanted or how much they would cost.
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Knowledge was another reported barrier: 49% did not know that some heat-pump systems can provide cooling, and 56% did not know which grants or subsidies were available. Those are awareness findings, not confirmation that a particular household qualifies for financial support. Grant schemes and eligibility can change, so check current official guidance before budgeting for work.
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What can help cool a home?
There is no single cooling upgrade that suits every property. The UK government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy notes that heat pumps can provide cooling as well as heating, while emphasizing that suitability depends on the characteristics of the building. A ClimateXChange evidence review discusses air-to-air heat pumps as a possible option for homes at risk of overheating, including properties without existing water-based central heating.
| Approach | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Shading and ventilation | Can address solar gain and help remove warm air, but effectiveness depends on the building and how the measures are used. Keep ventilation and indoor air quality in view when planning other upgrades. |
| Portable air conditioning | An option some households may consider for active cooling. The cited survey reporting provides no comparative product tests or evidence that a particular model will suit a particular room or home. |
| Air-to-air heat pump | Can provide cooling and may suit some homes without water-based heating. The ClimateXChange review says economics depend on property size and heat demand; flats may lack suitable external space. It is a property-specific installation, not a universal fix. |
Before adding insulation or other energy-efficiency measures, consider the whole building. The government strategy warns that unsuitable or poorly installed work can make spaces more airtight, increasing overheating risk and reducing indoor air quality. A competent assessment should consider cooling, ventilation, shading and the building’s heating needs together.
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What renters and homeowners should check before making changes
Whether you can carry out work may depend on who owns the home, the type of property and the proposed installation. Renters should discuss alterations with their landlord before commissioning work; owners considering a heat pump should first establish whether the property has the required space and whether the system fits its heating and cooling needs.
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