Newly built properties too warm? Help with finding an alternative

sky_aster

Hi, I'm looking to buy a house (2-3 bed, terrace or semi). I'm currently living in a flat (1st floor in block of 3) built in the last 8 years and it's been really boiling in the summer. Since the weather warmed up in June it's been way too hot and hasn't cooled down, even at night (when it bizarrely gets warmer), even when it's relatively cool outside. I've never had this problem with anywhere else I've lived,  except the usual heat in heatwave conditions. It's honestly been unbearable. I get v. good cross ventilation from the aspect of the windows. Having looked into the issue I believe it's due to modern standards of construction whereby buildings are very insulated but without adequate ventilation (other than through windows), and the use of materials which have poorer ability to moderate temperature - e.g. timber framed properties. I've read and heard about other new build houses that have similar problems so it doesn't just seem to be an issue with flats. I was originally looking at buying a newbuild/recently built property but am aware these houses might have the same issue. Has anyone else experienced this? Has anyone got advice on what properties are likely to be more ok (e.g. 1990s/2000s builds)? I would rather end up in a colder house where I can improve insulation if needed than in a house that's too warm!

fiveacre

If it's well insulated, are you opening windows at night and closing them (and blinds) during the day to keep the house cool? You don't want lots of ventilation if the outdoor temperature is warmer than inside, you want to keep the cool air inside.

[Deleted User]

Ceiling fan does wonders in the bedroom
at night
ours is a new build and its
hot in the summer we barely put the heating on at all even in the winter

tinytiddles

I don’t think it is all new builds, we bought ours last August and find that it is much better at keeping the ferocious heat out than our previous property which was a typical 1960s build. Ours is traditionally built which seems to be becoming less and less the norm, but maybe that’s the difference. Our winter fuel bills are extremely low which I’m very grateful for given how dear energy is becoming. 

deannagone

I have put filters on the window in a room which has large windows and faces the sun full throttle.  It went from a boiler room to the coolest room in the house.  As long as the windows were kept closed. The film roll contained enough to do several windows, was thick enough to be easy to install.  https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RHCYR9G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was amazed at the immediate temperature reduction.  There are cheaper options with less on a roll. It is handy to have a metal ruler to cut the film straight.  The pack only contains a tape measure, but all other tools you might need except for the metal ruler.

But as suggested I would do the opposite to what you are doing if you don't want to try the film.  Close windows and close curtains (and get insulating curtains to block the incoming heat). If this doesn't work at all, the heat must be coming from the flats around you rather than through the windows and insulation isn't as good as you thought.

Or you could just look for an older uninsulated house and shiver your way through the winter lol (sorry, dry sense of humour).  I've done it lol.

sky_aster

Thanks, that's really helpful. I've tried keeping the curtains shut which has helped, although it gets more boiling if I shut the windows too! 

I haven't thought of the film, that sounds like a good idea. I'm renting atm so I'm a bit stuck with what I can do, I would love a ceiling fan lol.

Helpful to hear your traditionally built new house doesn't have the same issues, I did wonder if timber framed properties might be particularly bad. This set of flats is all timber incidentally. 

I'd prefer the low energy bills that come with newer properties, although I'm sure I've spent loads with having the fan on so much this summer! 

krusty101

We moved into a new build house in March and yes, it’s roasting. The rear is south facing so the kitchen, which has more glass, is particularly warm. Our bedroom is at the front so gets the morning sun but we’ve pretty much had the windows open all day and night since about April and haven’t had the heating on in there.

I knew new builds were meant to be better in the winter but I had no idea it would be like this in the summer. 

ProDave

WE live in a new self build super insulated house.  The "gets hotter at night" is down to the decrement delay of a well insulated house.  In a poorly insulated house, the heat from the sun shining on the walls gets through very quickly and warms the inside.  With lots of insulation, that takes longer so the heat from the mid day sun does not start to make it's way through the walls for very much longer, often well into the night.

Keeping our house cool is very simple.  Keep all windows tight shut in the day to keep the heat out.  Then when you go to bed, as soon as you turn the lights off, open all the upstairs windows.  This lets the excess heat out and the cooler night air in to cool the house.  Obviously not a practical suggestion for a ground floor flat.

[Deleted User]

We have just gone from a 1950's house to a late 19th c. cottage and straight to an approx 20 year old property.

We have only been here 4 weeks but so far I really feel a difference. Perhaps more so because I've come from a very cool cottage (typically lovely and cool in the Summer and winter constantly boosting heating - it had a terrible EPC!). But we have found here it is very very toasty. Kitchen very noticeable even without significant cooking (lots of glass). We aren't south facing there but it's still very obvious.
We have both noticed how warm upstairs is all the time, even on none hot hot days. I would say so far it's actually been reassuring that we are surprised how warm it is up there and thinking of the winter benefits, however, we haven't had a real heatwave period since being in the house. We have had windows open most of the time and it hasn't really been very warm externally over the last month.
Hoping our winter bills are low though!

pinkteapot

Our new-build is roasting upstairs. I've just bought a 1-tog duvet and I swear they now make those because of new-builds. I'll still be under a 4.5 tog until December and then, if we have a bitterly cold winter, I might put the 7.5 tog on. 

It's impossible to get a through-breeze in our second bedroom so that one really suffers. 

pinkteapot

deannagone said:

I have put filters on the window in a room which has large windows and faces the sun full throttle.  It went from a boiler room to the coolest room in the house.  As long as the windows were kept closed. The film roll contained enough to do several windows, was thick enough to be easy to install.  https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RHCYR9G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This looks amazing - and I had no idea window film was a thing! 

A huge chunk of the front of our house is glass. Full two-storey glazing, probably 15-20' wide. It's a bit like living in a shopping centre or modern museum. It faces south-west, and heats our upstairs and downstairs halls (big open plan hall/stairs behind it). Yes - we should have thought this through when looking at the house design!  

I'm not sure I could apply the film tidily myself due to the size of our panes (it's obviously not one huge pane, but they are tall), but on googling there's an independent window film company up here and I'm sorely tempted to get them round for a chat now.