The politicisation of air con • Frozen treats for animals • Deliveroo pays heat bonuses • Exclusive photo essay • Flash flood sewage spills • Refuse collectors talk maggots • When will it end?
Someone messaged to say they thought the headline was weird and I realised not everyone thinks in ancient political viral memes so here’s the reference: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=79KzZ0YqLvo
This week lots of newspaper articles recommended external shutters which reduce the heat from windows more effectively. Given London’s old housing stock: will councils approve the fitting of external shutters in conservation areas?
Who should be subsidising making London better suited to extreme heat? Well how about the fossil fuel companies, their lobbyists and lawyers, and the useful idiot climate change deniers? They have caused this.
Plus all the people selling weapons to the USA, Queen Mary Uni back in May said all those bombs and trucks and planes caused the equivalent of Iceland's emissions.
I rocked up to Rules in shorts on Wednesday and, despite being a regular, was politely reminded of their no-shorts policy. Fortunately, I’d come prepared and was directed to the gentlemen’s cloakroom to change.
Full marks to them for maintaining standards at London’s oldest and most celebrated restaurant. I love the place.
Just a note of warning for the rest of you: if you’re planning to enjoy their excellent food and blissful air conditioning in this heat, make sure you wear a collared shirt and long trousers, however tempting the shorts may be. And if you can, arrive 30 minutes early and enjoy a cold drink in the upstairs bar.
Arguably the current system of not supporting a/c means people buy poor quality portable monoblock units which are substantially less efficient vs. a proper split system. The other elephant in the room is companies installing air to water heat pumps, which use substantial amounts of drinking water.
People are taking matters into their own hands and bodging together solutions which will be even more energy intensive and damaging to the environment in the long term.
That was a top heat read, Jim - thank you. The pictures were lovely and perhaps, something to think about again in the future. Picture illustrations add so much value to these stories. As you're well aware!
Does everything think the extremity of heat this week will make those in power wake up to the reality that something has to change? Or are we set for more of the same (as in deny it’s a problem, bury your head in the sand etc).
From a very hot, swollen 31 week pregnant London resident 🥵
Any forward planning on climate change and overheating city issues is apparently 'non-existent' in the 'Royal' Borough of Greenwich. They don't build in more shade or green spaces; they build more concrete monsters of 30-story plus. Despite the issues affecting the heat trapped within our capital city, with a breeze struggling to get by the constructions. More building means they can boast to the mayor and the central Govt of tackling the ridiculous targets set for house building. It's a misnomer anyway, as it is almost all flats, not houses. The next mass of concrete has started, apparently, with diversions once again away from the Thames Path riverside walking and cycling paths- just when you need the breeze you get from being outdoors along the river! 'Morden Wharf' is within sight of the Unesco WH site of central Greenwich, and again endangers that status as it has with Liverpool. And the long-suffering residents here are sick to the teeth (and physically sick in this heat for many) of the overdevelopment here. It surrounds us, taking no prisoners. Greenwich, Deptford, Lewisham, Woolwich, all now masses of concrete sucking in the heat to blast it back out to us 24/7. And as for the fire risks in this heat, the LFService ladders only reach so high! Meanwhile, the housing shortage remains and even increases. Do they not understand that it's a bit like building more roads, like the M25, to solve traffic congestion? If the demand is there and increasing, you will never solve the problem by building more and higher; you will simply make the life of current residents who have lived here for decades and even lifetimes, unbearable. Congratulations, council leaders. So, how about some shade and green space, please? I thought we had learnt our lessons from the 1960's blocks, many of which have now already bitten the dust, only to be replaced in many prime sites by even higher developments. Do we really want to become another but poorer version of Dubai or NYC? England and its 'green and pleasant land' reputation, both within and outside of cities, are all that remain of retaining London as an appealing and comfortable place to live in. Take it away, and we have little to recommend us. The only ones who will remain are those who cannot afford to move away. The young and wealth generators will be long gone. A bleak prospect?
Absolutely. I was walking in Islington by some 1930s council blocks and it was noticeable how much cooler it was, as there was lawn and trees and they hadn't built right up to the perimeter. They looked nice too!
Not to glaze them, but the Government just extended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants to air-to-air heat pumps, which can cool as well as heat homes - there's a £2500 grant for A2A systems (compared to the £7500 grant for A2W systems, which can only heat)
I've been looking into this... The scheme is now live but it needs to be done by an installer that has jumped through the hoops. As yet no installer has. So it'll only be from the winter that the scheme is REALLY up and running and you can really get a government subsidy to rip our your old boiler and replace it with hot/cold air con units....
So what’s the government key argument for prohibiting residential A/C installs? Is it the additional heat it would generate externally? Because many cities around the world seem to have been able to deal with this problem - including NYC which is a much, much, MUCH more densely populated city (and one that simply could not function without A/C)
The idea is that we shouldn't rely on active cooling and instead should design buildings so that they stay warm in winter and cool in summer. It's a good idea in principle, but unfortunately it's a lot easier to heat a building than it is to cool it, and global temperatures are going up, not down.
Hotels are able to have functioning central air conditioning, maybe one day flats will too.
The best passive features are well worth adding, even retroactively (e.g. external shutters) but will likely encounter a lot of barriers from planning agencies.
Previous restriction on the subsidy to not allow for heat pumps with a cooling mode enabled was ridiculous, as is much of the opposite to AC with all the international evidence available.
Yep, from an NYC perspective, it seems crazy that window ac units (the ones that sit on precariously on a bracket outside most older apartment buildings and houses), per flat, aren’t more common in London. Renters usually purchase them themselves and disconnect their unit and take it when they move. They range from inexpensive (but noisy) to pricey and quiet.
But I’m not sure how that would work in London with restrictions on older buildings, historic neighbourhoods, listed properties, etc — but it’d certainly cool people off 🧊
I looked into this a few years ago -- our windows don't tend to slide up and down like in the US. Do you think it would still work on a 'pivoting outwards' window configuration?
Ah, I think they’re too heavy to hang on a window pane that opens (if that’s what you meant) but you could install a unit if you remove some glass or partially block a window… Not ideal but again, maybe worth it to keep cool! 🧊
When I’ve looked at window ac units for sale in the US vs the UK, there’s far more choice/ sizes etc. Wow, I’m clearly an ac nerd.
Some new developments (but too few) have external shutters, but not widespread enough. This should really be looked into. Paired with properly designed housing with insulation and ventilation, it would avert the need for air conditioning. From what I understand, though, the two staircase LFB rule is now making dual-aspect flats tricky which is one of the easiest ways to improve ventilation. Perhaps you could look into that dilemma Jim?
Has the DfE woken up since the beginning of the week after insisting that the heat was no big deal? Meanwhile across the Channel the French Education Minister just announced that the Baccalaureate (A-Level equivalent) will only be held in the morning starting from next year to avoid holding them in the afternoon heat (and to avoid having to reschedule things at the last minute to do just that like they had to do these past weeks).
You'll still need AC, but good shutters and other measures will significantly reduce the time and intensity of usage. The current building regs aren't producing good outcomes, the long list of marginally effective interventions required before AC lead to expensive buildings which still get too hot.
"..richer Londoners might be able to afford air con but their poorer neighbours could be left unable to afford the costs", as well as having to deal with super-heated air from other people's homes. Parallels with the uneven costs of vehicle pollution.
Someone messaged to say they thought the headline was weird and I realised not everyone thinks in ancient political viral memes so here’s the reference: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=79KzZ0YqLvo
Feels like this is worth a poll, or are we in danger of a 52/48 situation? I’d hate to stir up division in this heat!
Amazing photos in this article!
I asked Jenny to do heat photos that weren't stereotypical and she delivered.
For sure! The article is amazing too, of course :)))
If you can read in this heat you’re doing well.
Yes, Jenny Forward-Hayter's photo of the man on the steps by Stepney Beach is phenomenal! ⚘️
Agreed, just showed it to my colleague!
Can we all agree to take climate change seriously and hold the government and big businesses (and ourselves to an extent) to account?
This week lots of newspaper articles recommended external shutters which reduce the heat from windows more effectively. Given London’s old housing stock: will councils approve the fitting of external shutters in conservation areas?
Who should be subsidising making London better suited to extreme heat? Well how about the fossil fuel companies, their lobbyists and lawyers, and the useful idiot climate change deniers? They have caused this.
Plus all the people selling weapons to the USA, Queen Mary Uni back in May said all those bombs and trucks and planes caused the equivalent of Iceland's emissions.
I rocked up to Rules in shorts on Wednesday and, despite being a regular, was politely reminded of their no-shorts policy. Fortunately, I’d come prepared and was directed to the gentlemen’s cloakroom to change.
Full marks to them for maintaining standards at London’s oldest and most celebrated restaurant. I love the place.
Just a note of warning for the rest of you: if you’re planning to enjoy their excellent food and blissful air conditioning in this heat, make sure you wear a collared shirt and long trousers, however tempting the shorts may be. And if you can, arrive 30 minutes early and enjoy a cold drink in the upstairs bar.
Thank you! Going in a couple of weeks for our anniversary.
Arguably the current system of not supporting a/c means people buy poor quality portable monoblock units which are substantially less efficient vs. a proper split system. The other elephant in the room is companies installing air to water heat pumps, which use substantial amounts of drinking water.
People are taking matters into their own hands and bodging together solutions which will be even more energy intensive and damaging to the environment in the long term.
That was a top heat read, Jim - thank you. The pictures were lovely and perhaps, something to think about again in the future. Picture illustrations add so much value to these stories. As you're well aware!
Well done on the award! 🥇
Does everything think the extremity of heat this week will make those in power wake up to the reality that something has to change? Or are we set for more of the same (as in deny it’s a problem, bury your head in the sand etc).
From a very hot, swollen 31 week pregnant London resident 🥵
Any forward planning on climate change and overheating city issues is apparently 'non-existent' in the 'Royal' Borough of Greenwich. They don't build in more shade or green spaces; they build more concrete monsters of 30-story plus. Despite the issues affecting the heat trapped within our capital city, with a breeze struggling to get by the constructions. More building means they can boast to the mayor and the central Govt of tackling the ridiculous targets set for house building. It's a misnomer anyway, as it is almost all flats, not houses. The next mass of concrete has started, apparently, with diversions once again away from the Thames Path riverside walking and cycling paths- just when you need the breeze you get from being outdoors along the river! 'Morden Wharf' is within sight of the Unesco WH site of central Greenwich, and again endangers that status as it has with Liverpool. And the long-suffering residents here are sick to the teeth (and physically sick in this heat for many) of the overdevelopment here. It surrounds us, taking no prisoners. Greenwich, Deptford, Lewisham, Woolwich, all now masses of concrete sucking in the heat to blast it back out to us 24/7. And as for the fire risks in this heat, the LFService ladders only reach so high! Meanwhile, the housing shortage remains and even increases. Do they not understand that it's a bit like building more roads, like the M25, to solve traffic congestion? If the demand is there and increasing, you will never solve the problem by building more and higher; you will simply make the life of current residents who have lived here for decades and even lifetimes, unbearable. Congratulations, council leaders. So, how about some shade and green space, please? I thought we had learnt our lessons from the 1960's blocks, many of which have now already bitten the dust, only to be replaced in many prime sites by even higher developments. Do we really want to become another but poorer version of Dubai or NYC? England and its 'green and pleasant land' reputation, both within and outside of cities, are all that remain of retaining London as an appealing and comfortable place to live in. Take it away, and we have little to recommend us. The only ones who will remain are those who cannot afford to move away. The young and wealth generators will be long gone. A bleak prospect?
Absolutely. I was walking in Islington by some 1930s council blocks and it was noticeable how much cooler it was, as there was lawn and trees and they hadn't built right up to the perimeter. They looked nice too!
Really great photos here. Especially as it’s so difficult to get an original take on London Heat.
Not to glaze them, but the Government just extended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants to air-to-air heat pumps, which can cool as well as heat homes - there's a £2500 grant for A2A systems (compared to the £7500 grant for A2W systems, which can only heat)
I've been looking into this... The scheme is now live but it needs to be done by an installer that has jumped through the hoops. As yet no installer has. So it'll only be from the winter that the scheme is REALLY up and running and you can really get a government subsidy to rip our your old boiler and replace it with hot/cold air con units....
Interesting! Fingers crossed for next year then lol
So what’s the government key argument for prohibiting residential A/C installs? Is it the additional heat it would generate externally? Because many cities around the world seem to have been able to deal with this problem - including NYC which is a much, much, MUCH more densely populated city (and one that simply could not function without A/C)
The idea is that we shouldn't rely on active cooling and instead should design buildings so that they stay warm in winter and cool in summer. It's a good idea in principle, but unfortunately it's a lot easier to heat a building than it is to cool it, and global temperatures are going up, not down.
Hotels are able to have functioning central air conditioning, maybe one day flats will too.
The best passive features are well worth adding, even retroactively (e.g. external shutters) but will likely encounter a lot of barriers from planning agencies.
Previous restriction on the subsidy to not allow for heat pumps with a cooling mode enabled was ridiculous, as is much of the opposite to AC with all the international evidence available.
Residential A/C install isn't banned
Sorry, used the wrong word - not prohibited but discouraged. “City Hall guidance strongly discourages its use in new residential buildings”
Worth noting though that installing a split system requires council authorization which as I understand is often difficult to obtain.
Totally -- as with most things in this country it seems that the local authorities aren't using their brains
Yep, from an NYC perspective, it seems crazy that window ac units (the ones that sit on precariously on a bracket outside most older apartment buildings and houses), per flat, aren’t more common in London. Renters usually purchase them themselves and disconnect their unit and take it when they move. They range from inexpensive (but noisy) to pricey and quiet.
But I’m not sure how that would work in London with restrictions on older buildings, historic neighbourhoods, listed properties, etc — but it’d certainly cool people off 🧊
I looked into this a few years ago -- our windows don't tend to slide up and down like in the US. Do you think it would still work on a 'pivoting outwards' window configuration?
Ah, I think they’re too heavy to hang on a window pane that opens (if that’s what you meant) but you could install a unit if you remove some glass or partially block a window… Not ideal but again, maybe worth it to keep cool! 🧊
When I’ve looked at window ac units for sale in the US vs the UK, there’s far more choice/ sizes etc. Wow, I’m clearly an ac nerd.
Some new developments (but too few) have external shutters, but not widespread enough. This should really be looked into. Paired with properly designed housing with insulation and ventilation, it would avert the need for air conditioning. From what I understand, though, the two staircase LFB rule is now making dual-aspect flats tricky which is one of the easiest ways to improve ventilation. Perhaps you could look into that dilemma Jim?
Has the DfE woken up since the beginning of the week after insisting that the heat was no big deal? Meanwhile across the Channel the French Education Minister just announced that the Baccalaureate (A-Level equivalent) will only be held in the morning starting from next year to avoid holding them in the afternoon heat (and to avoid having to reschedule things at the last minute to do just that like they had to do these past weeks).
You'll still need AC, but good shutters and other measures will significantly reduce the time and intensity of usage. The current building regs aren't producing good outcomes, the long list of marginally effective interventions required before AC lead to expensive buildings which still get too hot.
"..richer Londoners might be able to afford air con but their poorer neighbours could be left unable to afford the costs", as well as having to deal with super-heated air from other people's homes. Parallels with the uneven costs of vehicle pollution.
The photos are fantastic
I’m hearing people like the pics! Will do more as and when we can afford Jenny’s talent.