How do you survive in a cold house?

If it's very cold, set it to stay on longer, rather than turning the thermostat up. Close the curtains when it's getting dark. Tuck them behind the radiator and shut the doors to rooms you use most to keep the heat in. Stay warm with a hot water bottle or electric blanket – but don't use both at the same time.

cse.org.uk - Cold homes and health - Centre for Sustainable Energy

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Besides poor health, cold-related illness causes absence from work, social isolation, and sleep deprivation. It may lead to mental or stress related illness, with negative knock on effects for family and friends. Problems and diseases linked to the cold range from blood pressure increases and common colds, to heart attacks and pneumonia.

Who’s affected?

Those with existing health conditions are especially vulnerable to the cold. This includes physical conditions, such as circulatory problems, diabetes and arthritis; and mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. Respiratory conditions, like asthma, can be exacerbated by the cold, even more so if there are damp and mould issues in living spaces. This is often the case in under-heated, poorly ventilated homes. People with certain disabilities, children and the elderly also fall into higher risk categories.

How cold is too cold?

If you have a central heating system, you may also have a room thermostat to monitor and control the temperature in your home – it sends a signal to the boiler telling it to switch off when the house is warm enough. It’s usually found in a hallway or sitting room. Some modern heating controls now combine a heating timer and the thermostat, allowing you to set different temperatures for different times of the day. Below 13° - If your home is this cold, it may increase your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. 14-15° - If your home is this cold, you may be diminishing your resistance to respiratory diseases.

18° is the recommended night time bedroom temperature.

19-21° is the recommended daytime temperature range for occupied rooms.

24-27º is too warm and can put babies and young children at risk.

Warm up – tips for cold weather

Set your heating to come on just before you get up and switch off just before you go to bed. If it’s very cold, set it to stay on longer, rather than turning the thermostat up. Close the curtains when it’s getting dark. Tuck them behind the radiator and shut the doors to rooms you use most to keep the heat in. Stay warm with a hot water bottle or electric blanket – but don’t use both at the same time. Off mains gas or electricity? Keep a sufficient fuel supply to avoid running out in winter. Consider joining an oil club to save money. Have regular hot drinks and eat at least one hot meal a day if possible. Eating regularly helps keep energy levels up during winter.

Condensation, damp and mould

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Some damp is caused by condensation. This can lead to mould growth that appears as a cloud of little black dots. Condensation occurs when moist air comes into contact with a colder surface like a wall, window or mirror. It also occurs in places the air is still, like the corners of rooms, behind furniture or inside wardrobes.

Reduce moisture by...

Keeping lids on saucepans when cooking.

Drying clothes in the fresh air, not on the radiator.

Venting your tumble dryer to the outside.

Avoiding paraffin heaters or flue-less bottled gas heaters – these produce a lot of moisture.

Let moist air out and fresh air in

Extractor fans are an effective way to get rid of moist air and steam so less condensation forms. When you’re cooking or having a bath, keep the kitchen or bathroom door shut and open the window to let the steam out. Let fresh air circulate to avoid mould forming. Make sure there is a gap between furniture and walls and give wardrobes and cupboards an airing sometimes.

Warm your home

Very cold rooms are more likely to get damp and mouldy. Turn radiators onto their lowest setting. If you don’t have central heating, consider using a room heater with a timer and temperature control. Insulate and draught-proof your home. Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation (if your house has them) and draught-proofing on windows and doors are good places to start.

(See our page on damp, condensation and mould.)

Cold weather benefits

If you receive any type of benefit or are on a low income, you may be entitled to the following:

cse.org.uk - Cold homes and health - Centre for Sustainable Energy

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