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The Great British weather, it’s a tried and tested conversation starter. But does the weather we love have any impact on our broadband performance?
In this study, we’ve taken the most extreme days for heat waves and analysed speed tests if there is any significant difference.
Broadband speed and hot weather
UK temperatures have been increasing over the last couple of decades as a result of climate change, and 2023 was the second-warmest year on record for the UK. Parts of the country recorded temperatures exceeding 35°C.
Household electronics, and heat typically don’t mix. Gadgets such as computers, mobile phones, gaming consoles and broadband routers (and many more) need to stay cool for optimal performance.
What can cause broadband to slow down in the heat?
Most devices will use semiconductors (such as silicon chips), if these get too hot they can malfunction, increase electrical resistance which reduces efficiency, and in some cases lead to permanent damage.
It’s the same for your home broadband router and the cabinets in the street. These are more exposed to the heat and when it gets really hot, it’s not uncommon for telecom engineers to pop the cabinet door open and shade it with an umbrella to help keep it cool.
Does hot weather slow down broadband?
To test the theory in the real world, we took the five hottest days and the average broadband speed at the hottest parts of the day (between 11am - 3:30pm). We then compared it to the average broadband throughout the year for the same time frame.
Let see if our broadband connections could beat the heat!
Table: Broadband speed on the hottest days of the year (source: Broadband Genie)
| Rank | Temperature | Download speed change | Upload speed change | Weighted broadband speed* change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35.6 | -8% | -27% | -9% |
| 2 | 32.7 |
0% (no change) |
-3% | 0% |
| 3 |
32.6 |
-1% | -2% | -1% |
| 4 | 32.2 | -5% | -11% | -5% |
| 5 | 32.2 | +1% | -9% | 0% |
Key findings of broadband speed in hot temperatures
- Broadband speed drops 3% on the hottest days.
- Download speed can be impacted, up to 8% slower, as seen on the hottest day tested.
- Upload speed was more sensitive. Broadband speed slowed between 11% to 27% on some of the hottest days.
What our experts had to say:
“Broadband providers will have designed and tested their equipment to function in and around temperatures of 40°C, so it’s not a surprise we can’t see dramatic results. The findings from the study suggest that hotter days will take the edge off our broadband performance.
“We should check their router isn’t placed in an unsuitable spot, such as next to any sunny south-facing window or a sweltering loft spaces. A couple of minutes taken here will save your broadband grinding to a halt, avoiding any broadband related frustrations.”
- Alex Tofts, Strategist at Broadband Genie.
How to beat the heat and keep your tech cool in summer
1. Avoid direct sunlight
We know it sounds obvious, but the best way to stop your router and devices from overheating is to keep it out of direct sunlight. Avoid positioning it next to any sunny spots in your home.
2. Keep it ventilated
Avoid locking your router away in cupboards or packed tightly under a desk. We know routers are not the most aesthetically pleasing pieces of tech, but keeping them in a well-ventilated area will avoid any broadband burn-outs.
For best performance, keep your router on a hard surface, half a meter off the ground and away from large obstacles and other electronic devices, especially microwaves.
3. Attention animal lovers
Pets can be very selfish sometimes (especially cats). We don’t see how sitting on a router would be comfortable, but hey, if it fits, it sits. Don’t let your pet use your router as a place to nap. Its fur will pack heaps of dust into the air ducts, and your cuddly friend will trap in heat to the router.
4. Place on a hard, flat surface, something which won’t insulate the heat
A solid, flat surface won’t insulate any heat your device generates compared to a squishy or fluffy one. A wooden or vinyl floor is fine, but for optimal performance, raise your router around 30cm off the floor. If none of your furniture gives you this option, a stack of books will also work.
5. Upgrade to something more modern
After going through the list and if you find your router is still getting too hot, it might be time for an upgrade. Advancements in design means modern gadgets run slightly cooler than older models.
6. Digital detox
If it's getting too hot and into some extreme temperatures, such as 40°C+. Consider taking a digital detox for the afternoon: switch off your devices (and your router, but only if absolutely necessary) and take a siesta.
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Methodology
- Broadband Genie analysed 380,056 broadband speed tests across a 12-month period.
- A benchmark was taken across the 12-month period for broadband upload, download and a weighted broadband speed (80/20 download/upload speed) between the 11:00 - 15:30 (the hottest part of the day).
- The benchmark was compared to the broadband speeds recorded on the 5 hottest days in the same time of the day.
- Broadband Genie analysed 348,578 speed tests during a 12-month period.
- Speed tests were run through the Broadband Genie speed test.