Cold homes have a huge impact on your physical health and mental wellbeing.
Living in a cold home carries a number of health risks, including asthma, flu or more serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke and depression.
It can take its toll on your mental health, with 1 in 4 adults living in cold homes experiencing mental health problems – see our mental health and wellbeing page for help and support.
Staying well
Following these simple, easy steps will help keep you warm and healthy in your own home:
- Heat your home to at least 18°c
- Keep your bedroom window closed on winter nights
- Keep active when indoors
- If you’re eligible, make sure you get your flu jab
- Make sure you’re receiving all the help that you’re entitled to
- Visit your local pharmacist as soon as you start to feel unwell
- If you are struggling to keep warm, find out about our AWARM Plus service.
For more information and advice, visit NHS Live Well.
Top tips to winter proof your home
- A thermostat controls the boiler and radiator valves control water flow – use both for best energy efficiency
- Draught proof the home - Shut all inside doors and use draught excluders at the bottom of them to conserve heat and energy
- Bleed radiators - If the top of the radiator is colder than the bottom, they need bleeding. This ensures you're getting the full amount of heat possible
- Insulate your hot water pipes by sliding foam insulation tubes over them. These can be bought online or in a DIY store, you could even use any leftover tubes as draught excluders for the bottom of your doors!