MANY households are cautious about their energy use during the winter months, setting their thermostats below the recommended levels or choosing not to switch their heating on at all.
But a cold home environment to save money can have a detrimental impact on your health, Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQ Doctor, warns.
1
She said when the temperature in your home is too low, the body must work harder to maintain its core temperature.
This increased strain can impact various bodily systems, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly, young children, or those with pre-existing health conditions.
Dr Wylie listed three key effects:
- Heightened susceptibility to respiratory infections
- Worsening of cardiovascular conditions
- Increased risk of falls due to stiffness and slower response times
Read more on winter health
The three main areas of the body that can be significantly affected by not putting your heating on are: breathing, skin, and the cardiovascular system.
How can avoiding putting the heating on affect your breathing?
Yes, a cold home really can worsen respiratory conditions.
Dr Wylie explained: “Cold air is often drier, which can irritate the airways.
“This makes it harder to breathe, particularly for those with asthma or other chronic lung conditions.
“Additionally, cooler temperatures may increase the risk of respiratory infections, such as colds or flu, because viruses tend to survive and spread more easily in colder, drier air.”
What can a cold home do to your skin?
Cold environments without adequate heating can lead to dry, cracked, or irritated skin.
Dr Wylie advised: “Without the warmth and humidity provided by heating, skin can lose moisture, leading to increased dryness, flakiness, and potentially even eczema flare-ups.
“In severe cases, this dryness can cause small cracks in the skin, which may increase the risk of infection.”
What can it do to your cardiovascular system?
When the body is exposed to cold, blood vessels constrict in an effort to preserve core temperature.
This can increase blood pressure as the heart works harder to pump blood through narrower vessels.
Dr Wylie said: “For those with pre-existing cardiovascular issues, this increased strain can raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other complications.
“In colder weather, people are also less likely to be active, which can further strain the cardiovascular system over time.”
Can serious health problems develop?
Especially in older adults and those with pre-existing health issues, inadequate heating can contribute to serious health problems.
Conditions such as pneumonia, heart attacks, and strokes are more likely to occur with prolonged exposure to the cold, warned Dr Wylie.
She added: “The immune system can also become weakened, leaving the body more susceptible to various infections and other complications.”
What should you do if you can’t afford to have your heating on all the time?
There are several reasons why people may not be able to afford to put their heating on, including financial constraints, the need to save money for other essentials, or a preference to save money.
Dr Deborah Lee, of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, recommended the following:
- Look at Turn2Us, where you can find details of local government agencies that can help with issues such as housing and finance.
- Try contacting your local council for help and advice about heating.
- Find out about the Housing Support Fund, which is not means-tested.
- Make sure you get the winter fuel payment if you are eligible.
- Take advantage of the network of warm spaces available free of charge over the winter.
- Speak to your GP. The Social Prescribing Team may be able to help you.
Advice for keeping warm
Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
As well as heating your home to at least 18C, particularly in the rooms that you regularly use, you should keep your bedroom windows closed at night.
You should also make sure you’re getting all the help that you’re entitled to.
There are grants, benefits and advice available to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills.
Remember that other people, such as older neighbours, friends and family members, may need some extra help over the winter.
Keep in touch with your friends, neighbours and family and ask if they need any practical help, or if they’re feeling unwell.
Make sure they’re stocked up with enough food supplies for a few days, in case they cannot go out.
If they do need to go out in the cold, encourage them to wear shoes with a good grip and a scarf around the mouth to protect them from cold air, and to reduce their risk of chest infections.
Also, make sure they get any prescription medicines before the holiday period starts and if bad weather is forecast.
Some cheap tricks to stay warm at home while keeping costs down include:
- Warm your body not your house – so wear lots of layers made from insulating materials like wool
- Or if need to, just heat one room and stay there as much as you can during the day
- Avoid alcohol – it prevents your blood vessels from constricting, so you lose body heat
- Move around as much as you can – sitting still for long periods reduces circulation
- Open your curtains – the sun still provides warmth, even if it’s cold outside
- Use a draught excluder – line your windows with rubber seals and use DIY excluder at the bottom of your doors
- Move your sofa away from external walls – sitting with your back against an internal wall will instantly feel a lot warmer
- Fit tin foil behind your radiator – it will reflect heat back into the room
- Bleed your radiators – air could be trapped inside, creating cold spots
