When people think about fuel poverty, winter is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But the reality is that for millions of households, energy bills and poor housing standards continue to cause harm all year round.
As the climate heats up, fuel poverty is now also a summer health crisis – and it’s getting worse.
Overheating Is Making People Ill
Data from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition reveals that 4.5 million adults in the UK have been made unwell by excessive heat in their homes.
With energy bills still significantly higher than pre-crisis levels and standing charges rising, many households are unable to afford to run cooling fans or ventilate their homes effectively, especially if they are repaying energy debts or on prepayment meters.
Over 10,000 heat-related deaths occurred in the UK between 2020 and 2024, many of them in homes that are poorly insulated, overcrowded or not designed for high temperatures. A major study published in April 2025 found that the proportion of UK homes experiencing overheating has soared from 18% in 2011 to 80% today.
Poverty, Health and Inequality Intertwined
Overheating hits some people harder than others. Reports now show that lower-income households, social renters, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with health conditions are most at risk.
Almost half of households in the lowest income bracket face serious overheating risks, compared to just 17% of the wealthiest. Many live in flats or terraced houses without outdoor space, natural ventilation or any form of cooling – and they are increasingly forced to choose between health and affordability.
Energy Poverty Is Year-Round
Fuel poverty isn’t just about whether people can afford to heat their homes in winter, it is still an issue in summer. It’s about whether households can afford energy at all – and that includes cooling, hot water, refrigeration, lighting, and medical equipment.
A peer-reviewed study from New Zealand found that 43% of households identified the cost of cooling as a major barrier during hot weather. Many ‘energy efficient’ homes now trap heat due to poor ventilation or design [pdf], and households without smart meters or time-of-use tariffs often pay the most to cool their homes.
What Needs to Change
A nationwide Warm Homes Plan must deliver insulation, ventilation, and passive cooling upgrades to homes in fuel poverty. This should include shading, window replacements and airflow improvements – not just heat loss measures.
Electricity pricing must be reformed to bring down the cost of running equipment, such as heat pumps which provide both heating and cooling.
Support must prioritise the most at-risk groups, including renters, older people, disabled people and families with children. Help should be proactive, with automatic enrolment in energy support schemes, better use of data and targeted local authority delivery.
Summer Suffering Is Preventable
In a changing climate, fuel poverty is no longer just a winter issue. It’s a public health emergency that costs lives — whether in freezing cold or extreme heat. By fixing our broken housing and energy systems, we can protect millions of people from avoidable harm — and make every home a safe, affordable place to live, whatever the weather.