The Importance of a warm home

for health and wellbeing

National Energy Action Jimmy Pugh

January 2014

National Energy Action – Who? What? Where? How?

Introductions

Halton Healthy Homes Network

The overall aim of the Network is to improve housing conditions and reduce levels of fuel

poverty by strengthening partnership working to tackle the issues.

NEA is currently working with the network to put a health emphasis on fuel poverty.

Latest DECC fuel poverty figures

Official Government figures estimate that:• In 2011 the number of households in fuel poverty in the UK was

around 4.5 million, representing around 17 per cent of all UK households. In the north west it’s about 12.5% of households

• 5 million households in fuel debt

• 31,000 Excess winter deaths in winter 2012/13 (currently estimated)

‘Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics, 2013 and ‘Fuel Poverty Statistics Methodology and User Manual, 2013’

Fuel Poverty in Halton Local Authority

All Households Fuel Poor Households Percent Fuel Poor

51,423 4,951 9.6%

Excess winter deaths 2011/12

Official DECC stats

England and Wales 24,000

North West 3100

Halton 30

Causes and Effect of Fuel Poverty

High fuel costs

Lowincomes

Energy inefficient

homes

Don’t heat the home

Ill healthCondensation

Housing disrepair

Heat the home

Fuel debt

Fuel Poverty

“Few people choose to live in cold damp homes that they cannot afford to heat well enough to protect their

health. Yet for millions of British households this is the reality of poor quality housing, inefficient heating systems and inadequate building

standards stretching back over generations.”

From a British Medical Journal Editorial, by Dr Noel DL Olsen, 20011

Who are most at risk?

• Those on low-incomes• Older people• Parents with young children• People with disabilities and long-term illness• People without access to advice and information• Single people

Cold costs, warmth savesAge UK has calculated that the estimated cost to the NHS in England arising just from cold homes is around £1.36 billion per year.

“Cold, damp, thermally inefficient houses which people

cannot afford to heat sufficiently to protect their

health are a peculiarly British public health scandal.”

Dr Noel DL Olsen MSc, FRCP, FFPHM

Indoor Temperature and Health

• 18-21°C - no risk to sedentary, healthy people

• Below 16°C - diminished resistance to respiratory infections

• Below 12°C - increased blood pressure and viscosity

• Below 9°C - after 2 or more hours, deep body temperature falls

Health impacts of living in cold/damp home

Potential Health ImpactsCold Home • Increased blood pressure leading

to heart disease and strokes• Increased respiratory illness

chronic bronchitis or emphysema• Worsening arthritis and

rheumatism• Worsening of long-term medical

conditions including mental health• Poorer nutrition

Potential Health ImpactsDamp Home • Allergies to mould: rhinitis, itching,

sneezing, wheezing, conjunctivitis, fever and coughing

• Infections: flu-like symptoms to irreversible lung damage

• Viruses and bacteria are more common in damp homes

• House dust mites: asthma, eczema, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, prolonged colds

Excess Winter Deaths

31,000 was the EWD figure for England and Wales during the winter of 2012/2013

Children and fuel povertyIt is clear that fuel poverty can have severe and life-long effects on children. Studies show that long-term exposure to a cold home can: • Affect weight gain in babies and young children.• Increase hospital admission rates for children and increase the severity and

frequency of asthmatic symptoms.• Children in cold homes are more than twice as likely to suffer from breathing

problems.• Children in damp and mouldy homes are up to three times more likely to

suffer from coughing, wheezing and respiratory illness, compared to those with warm, dry homes.

• Fuel poverty may even affect children’s education, if health problems keep them off school, or a cold home means there is no warm, separate room to do their homework.

Fact-file: Families and fuel poverty ; Association for the conservation of energy, February 2013

Energy Project Plus

• If you have any questions or concerns about your household energy use call Energy Project Plus. Their trained energy advisors offer advice on domestic energy efficiency and renewable energy as well as information on grants and discounts available to residents to help make their homes more energy efficient.

• For more information call 0800 043 0151