With temperatures predicted to reach 33 degrees in parts of England this weekend, and a yellow heat health alert issued for most of the country, insulation specialist Actis is reminding builders, merchants and specifiers of the role insulation has to play in helping mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures
The yellow alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), warns of the possible health and wellbeing impact of high temperatures on health and social services.
It could see a rise in deaths, particularly among the over 65s or those with health conditions, with high temperatures posing a risk to vulnerable people in hospitals, care homes, and domestic dwellings.
For many people, houses can be insufferably hot in the summer if they are insulated with products designed purely to protect the occupants from winter cold.
But some insulation products can actually keep homes cool during the summer as well as warm in winter – a potential lifesaver during heatwaves, says Actis, whose two-in-one Eolis HC, along with its well-established Hybrid range, have been specifically designed to help buildings stay cool, as well as warm.
The reflective films from which Eolis HC is created reflect 95% of infrared radiation
Mark Cooper, UK and Ireland sales manager at Actis, said: “Using reflective insulation will mitigate some of the effects of extreme heat by enabling houses to remain at a pleasant temperature.
“With Part O of the building regulations obliging architects to limit unwanted solar gains and provide a way to remove heat from residential dwellings, alternative, reflective, insulation helps protect the health and comfort of the occupants.
“In addition, drawing curtains or the careful siting of windows at build stage will address the issue of solar gain.”
The Triplex technology on which Eolis HC is based is created from a number of layers of reflective films, each separated by a thin layer of fibre, trapping air between each section, boosting thermal performance.
Heatwaves are now 30 times more likely to occur than before the industrial revolution, according to the Met Office, which says they could even occur every other year by the 2050s as greenhouse gas concentrations increase.
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