Rising temperatures are prompting more UK homeowners to invest in cooling measures, while growing numbers are weighing up home improvements or even relocating to cope with hotter summers, according to new research from Barclays.

The lender’s latest Property Insights research suggests households are increasingly adapting their homes to deal with periods of warmer weather, although concerns over energy costs continue to shape many of those decisions.

More than one in six households (17%) have bought a portable air conditioning unit, while 11% have installed fixed air conditioning systems. Simpler and lower-cost measures remain more common, with 48% of homeowners using portable fans and 34% installing blackout blinds or curtains to keep homes cooler.

Many homeowners are also considering longer-term changes. Two in five adults (40%) said they would rather invest in improvements that prevent homes from overheating than rely on cooling methods after temperatures rise.

Among homeowners, 31% have either planted or are considering planting trees to provide shade, while 28% have improved or are planning to improve ventilation through measures such as skylights or additional vents.

COST REMAINS A KEY CONSIDERATION

The research found that cooling homes is increasingly being balanced against concerns over household bills.

Three in 10 adults (30%) said they worry about the impact of using electricity to cool their homes on energy costs, while 44% actively avoid energy-intensive cooling methods where possible. Almost half (48%) also believe cooling systems are unnecessary for most of the year, reflecting the UK’s seasonal climate.

HOTTER WEATHER INFLUENCING HOUSING DECISIONS

For some households, rising temperatures are influencing broader property decisions.

One in seven adults (13%) said they are considering moving to a cooler part of the UK to help manage ongoing costs associated with warmer weather. This rises to 21% among Generation Z respondents and 25% of Millennials.

Jatin Patel, head of mortgages, savings and insurance at Barclays, said: “Hotter spells are a challenge for British households, particularly as much of the nation’s housing stock isn’t designed to combat sustained periods of high temperatures.

“For homeowners, it’s no longer just a question of comfort, but also cost-management as they balance staying cool with the impact on their energy bills.

“For some, this means choosing to retrofit their home with more passive ventilation options, meanwhile a growing number of homeowners are considering moving altogether to make sure their home is equipped from the outset.”