CommentsReal LifeHelen Le Caplain17:08, 22 Jul 2026
More than half of Brits claim the hot weather can have an impact on relationships at home
More than half of sweltering Brits admit excessive indoor heat has caused them to lose their temper with someone they live with.
A hot-and-bothered 53% of people said soaring temperatures have created issues at home, while 25% say summer heat makes them feel 'less like themselves'.
The research by home tech brand DREO found that two-fifths (40%) of Brits find excessive indoor heat has stopped them from fully enjoying time at home during the summer.
A whopping 71% agree that overheating significantly disrupts their normal daily life, with sleeping (68%), relaxing (52%), cooking (49%) and working from home (21%) most affected.
The impact is even extending to people's social lives, with half (48%) saying they've cut short or cancelled a social occasion at home because it was too hot indoors.
Of the 2,000 Brits quizzed, a further 24% admit they have at least considered doing so.
Younger households are feeling this most acutely with 72% of 18-24s cutting short or cancelling a social occasion at home due to heat, compared to just 39% of over-65s.
Londoners report the highest disruption of any region, with 68% saying the same.
The research found that 85% of Brits agree that increasingly hot summers are now simply 'the new normal', yet most households remain ill-equipped to deal with it.
The findings suggest indoor heat is costing people far more than comfort alone.
Beyond disrupting routines and summer plans, many Brits say overheating homes are affecting their emotional wellbeing (26%) and mood or patience with others (35%).
Where heat disrupts the UK most
Almost two-thirds (62%) of parents say summer heat has disrupted their child's school or nursery routine.
Just under a third (30%) of those surveyed who care for an elderly or medically vulnerable person, said they actively worry about their wellbeing during periods of extreme heat.
When asked what heat affects most beyond mood, respondents pointed to their dwindling motivation to exercise (42%) and general enjoyment of the day (41%).
Concentration and productivity (40%) and even their appetite (37%) was also highlighted, underlining that the effects extend well beyond physical discomfort.
For many, those feelings begin with poor sleep, with 68% regularly struggling to sleep due to indoor heat.
One in five said a bad night's sleep during a heatwave can ruin the following day entirely.
Many also reported that excessive indoor heat affects their mood, concentration, productivity and enjoyment of everyday life at home.
Despite the growing impact of indoor heat, many households continue to rely on simple coping mechanisms.
The electric fan remains the nation's most common method (31%), ahead of closing blinds or curtains (18%) and opening windows and doors (14%), yet just 19% say their current approach makes a real difference.
A quarter (25%) say it makes little or no difference at all, and almost a quarter (23%) have tried multiple methods without finding one that actually works.
For the growing number of Brits working from home, the consequences extend beyond comfort.
Three-fifths (61%) say indoor heat has affected their ability to work productively during summer, with poor sleep and sustained discomfort compounding the impact across the working week.
Encouragingly, the research also shows that people see a cooler home as much more than physical comfort.
Nearly 83% of respondents say they would enjoy summer significantly more if their home remained consistently cool and comfortable throughout the season.
If temperatures were easier to manage indoors, Brits say they would sleep better (71%), relax more often (56%) and exercise at home more comfortably (34%).
From a social perspective, those quizzed said they'd spend more quality time with loved ones (30%) and host friends and family more frequently (26%).
Three-quarters (73%) said that if their home stayed comfortable throughout summer, it would become their favourite season of the year.
Behavioural Psychologist Jo Hemmings says the findings reflect the often-overlooked psychological impact of prolonged indoor heat.
Jo said: "Being hot and bothered has a real psychological impact.
"Poor sleep, prolonged discomfort and feeling unable to escape the heat can all affect our patience, mood and ability to regulate emotions.
"That's why we're often less productive, less tolerant and less able to enjoy everyday moments during periods of prolonged heat.
"Sleep is often the first casualty of indoor heat and once that's disrupted, it can have a knock-on effect on decision making, concentration, emotional resilience and our relationships.
"Over the course of a heatwave that effect tends to compound - each poorly-slept night leaves us with less emotional resilience the next day.
"This is often exactly when we see tension boil over into real conflict at home."
Olivia Xu, Head of Marketing at DREO, said: "People often think of summer heat as a few days of discomfort, but the research shows it's affecting how people experience everyday life at home - and they shouldn't have to live with that.
“That's why we've focused on cooling that feels more comfortable, not just more powerful.
"DREO's TurboCool Misting Fan combines high-velocity airflow with an ultrafine evaporative mist to cool people more effectively than airflow alone, helping create a fresher, more comfortable home during the hottest days of the year."
For more information, visit DREO
Comments
0 comment