Fuel poverty in the summer
When we think about fuel poverty, most of us picture cold homes in winter. But as the UK experiences hotter, longer summers, a new challenge is emerging: keeping homes cool safely and affordably.
Fuel poverty is about whether a household can afford the energy they need to live safely, all year round. A safe room temperature for most people is 18 to 20 degrees.
In winter, many households have the ability to heat their home but those struggling to pay energy bills ration heating because they cannot afford to turn it on. In summer, the problem is different: those people often have no effective way to cool their homes at all.
This is partly because of the way UK homes are built. Most were designed to retain heat, not release it, making them prone to overheating during heatwaves.
Struggling with energy bills
At the same time, energy costs remain high. This means families may be unable to use even relatively low-cost cooling options, especially if they are already in debt or using prepayment meters.
Some households also rely on medical equipment such as oxygen machines, which can generate additional heat indoors, making already warm homes even harder to cool.
People on lower incomes are more likely to live in:
- Flats with limited ventilation
- Homes without outdoor space
- Buildings that trap heat
The result is a growing summer fuel poverty gap, where those struggling with energy costs must choose between comfort, health, and affordability.
For families living in fuel poverty, the school holidays can be a time of anxiety. More mouths to feed, clothes to wash and electrical appliances running to keep the children entertained. Fans and air conditioning units become ever more essential as we experience more heatwaves and soaring temperatures, but they remain out of reach for the most vulnerable.
Energy costs
The average annual bill has risen sharply since October 2021 when bills were around £1,277 for a typical household. That’s based on 12,000kWh of gas and 3,000kWh of electricity, two to three people in a two to three-bed house.
Bigger households or those with high energy needs like using medical equipment including oxygen or stairlifts will usually pay more.
Energy debt has reached over £4.7 billion, with clients struggling to pay back the bill they had no choice but to rack up.
Throughout the summer holidays, and beyond, we provide key support which helps families in fuel poverty to manage their energy bills and keep their homes safe, healthy and comfortable.
