Website of the UK government

Why should you make changes?

Within this century average summer temperatures in the UK are expected to rise between three and four degrees Celsius. Heatwaves, torrential rain and floods are likely to become more common, summers will get drier and winters wetter.

You can help to tackle the effects of climate change by saving water and energy, and reducing your carbon footprint.

But there are also many things you can do to protect your home and yourself from unavoidable changes in the weather. You could consider making some adaptations for the changing weather when it’s time to decorate. You might need to get planning permission for some projects, or consult an expert before starting work.

• UK climate projections 2009 - Met Office Opens new window

• Adapting to climate change Opens new window

• Climate change: a quick guide

Changes you can make to your home

Whether you own your home or not, there are many changes you can make now to be ready for climate change.

Insulation

Making sure your home is well insulated will keep you warm in winter and cooler in summer. You can also buy rolls of reflective foil insulation called ‘radiant barriers’ to install in your loft as extra protection from cold and heat.

• Insulation and heating

• About radiant barriers: US Department of Energy Opens new window

Windows and ventilation

You could cool your home naturally instead of using air conditioning, which can damage the environment:

• create a breeze through your home by opening the windows at the highest and lowest points in the house, or on opposite sides of the house
• when it’s very hot, open windows at night to let cool air in; close windows and curtains or blinds during the day to trap the cool air inside
• if you are replacing your windows, ask about special coatings that reflect or absorb heat, and remember that double glazing can keep your home cooler

More ways to keep cool

Things to consider:

• fitting blinds, shutters or awnings to provide shade and keep heat out
• painting your outside walls and roof a light colour to reflect heat – you could even fit white or reflective roof tiles
• replacing carpets with solid flooring like stone or ceramic tiles has a cooling effect, and can lessen damage from a flood
• using household appliances, like your washing machine, at cooler times of day, and making sure to unplug them when you’re not using them

• Department of Health heatwave plan 2009 Opens new window

• How to paint an exterior wall: eHow videos Opens new window

• Solid floor insulation: low energy house Opens new window

Preparing for floods and droughts

Be prepared for possible flooding by checking the Environment Agency’s map. If your home is at risk, consider ways to keep floodwater out, such as fitting air brick covers or installing a waterproof membrane on the outside walls. Also check the condition of your guttering and drains – can they cope with more rainfall?

As the UK is likely to experience more droughts in summer months, saving water will become even more important. There are lots of ways to save water at home and you can read some tips on the ‘water: using less at home’ page.

• Water: using less at home

• Check the flood map to see if you are at risk Opens new window

• Flooding in your area

Changes you can make to the outside of your home

If you have space outside your house, there are ways to keep your home cool and help prevent a flood.

Creating shade

If you have a garden, planting deciduous trees (particularly on the south-facing side) can shade your house in summer and allow sun to shine through in winter when the leaves have fallen. You can buy root barrier membranes to protect a patio or house foundations from damage caused by roots.

• Trees near buildings: advice from the Royal Horticultural Society Opens new window

• Royal Horticultural Society plant selector Opens new window

Saving water in the garden

Using less water in the garden will help to make the most of resources, especially during drier months. You could also look into ways to plan your garden for hotter, drier weather – the Royal Horticultural Society has some tips.

• Gardening in a changing climate: Royal Horticultural Society Opens new window

• Water: using less in the garden

• Gardeners: ways to be greener

Paving over gardens

Paving over gardens contributes to flooding, as hard surfaces like concrete or block paving take in much less rainwater than lawns and plants. Harder materials also store more heat from the sun, and this can make a difference to temperatures, especially in urban areas.

If you need to create space for parking outside your house, the Royal Horticultural Society suggests using materials like lawn or gravel, which absorb rainwater, leaving just two paved tracks for the car. You can even buy recycled gravel that is a by-product of the ceramics industry, and paving that allows water to soak through.

You might need to get planning permission to alter your garden, particularly if you’re going to use materials that don’t let water soak through.

• Download 'Front gardens' for advice about paving over lawns (PDF, 556K) Opens new window

• Changes to planning regulations for homeowners (home and community section)

Green or living roofs

You can grow plants and vegetation on rooftops, after properly preparing the surface with soil and root barriers.

Green roofs can:

• help prevent floods by absorbing rainwater
• lower the temperature of buildings during summer, and keep them warmer in winter
• support wildlife including bees

You could green up the roof of your house, shed, porch or a balcony. If a green roof seems like a big project for you, placing potted shrubs and plants on flat roofs can also help.

You should consult a structural engineer before taking on a green roof project for your house, to make sure it can support the extra weight without causing damage.

• Natural England guide to living roofs Opens new window

• Find a structural engineer Opens new window

More useful links

• Heatwaves: NHS Choices Opens new window

• Severe weather, flooding and drought

• Find out what the government is doing Opens new window