Award-winning study warns of overheating risks in care homes as the climate warms
Research conducted at Epilepsy Society warns of overheating becoming a bigger problem in a changing climate.
Serra Ardor, UCL Environmental Design and Engineering graduate, has been named runner-up for the CIBSE Undergraduate Award for her vital research into indoor overheating in epilepsy care homes. The Award recognises exceptional talent in building services engineering.
The study, conducted at the Epilepsy Society Chalfont Centre, found that climate change induced warming is significantly increasing the risk of indoor heat-related issues.
Historically, UK dwellings and care homes were designed to stay warm to protect residents from the cold, often overlooking summertime heat hazards. Research shows that this design principle can contribute to overheating during the summer. For some people with epilepsy, heat is a known seizure trigger, making temperature regulation a matter of safety.
The study revealed that overheating is already a reality within the case study care home. Indoor temperatures frequently exceeded the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) threshold of 26°C. This will only intensify as British summers get hotter due to climate change.
The research explored how staff currently manage temperatures. While passive cooling (such as opening windows) can help, the study recommended targeted training to help staff better understand and manage overheating risks. Fitting windows with temperature sensors so they open automatically was also recommended as a low-intervention solution, helping to minimise operational burdens and misuse.
As the climate continues to warm, further cooling strategies will be needed to manage indoor temperatures in the long term. Reversible air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) were highlighted as an effective way to cool homes, while being energy efficient.
This award-winning study highlights a growing health priority for care homes. As the climate changes, implementing cooling strategies while ensuring staff are adequately trained will be essential to ensure the safety and wellbeing of care home residents.
Reflecting on her work, Serra Ardor said, “As our climate is changing, we must rethink how we design and manage our care home environments, especially as some people with epilepsy can be particularly sensitive to heat. I’m honoured to receive this award, and I hope to see these findings used to create thermally comfortable, climate resilient and safer care homes for residents.”
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Find out more about climate change research at Epilepsy Society: Climate Change research | Epilepsy Society