How Rising Costs Are Impacting Home Heating in Wales: Insights from Recent Research
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact households across the UK, the ability to keep homes warm during winter has emerged as a significant public health concern. Two recent reports—Keeping Warm at Home During Winter in Wales and Cold Homes in Wales: Is the Satisfactory Heating Regime Appropriate for Health and Well-Being? – provide critical insights into how heating behaviours and well-being have been affected. These findings carry important implications for policymakers as they seek to address fuel poverty and protect vulnerable populations.
M·E·L Research conducted the fieldwork for these studies, using robust methodologies to gather valuable data, including thermostat settings and heating patterns. Our work has helped bring these issues to the forefront and provided an evidence base for future action. Through the Housing Warmth Survey and the collection of thermostat data, we captured critical insights into how households are coping with the rising costs of heating. Our work has not only informed these reports but also supports the development of policies aimed at reducing health inequalities and improving living conditions.
Key Findings: What the Research Reveals
1. Falling Thermostat Settings
Between 2022 and 2023, the average thermostat setting dropped from 19.9°C to 19.3°C, even as outdoor temperatures were colder in 2023.
For vulnerable groups, the recommended minimum temperature for safety and comfort is 18°C. Alarmingly, 11% of homes surveyed in one study reported thermostat settings below this threshold.
What This Means: Policymakers need to consider how rising energy costs are driving households to reduce heating, potentially compromising health. Measures to ensure affordability of heating are critical, particularly for those at greater risk, such as older adults and people with long-term health conditions.
2. Increasing Financial Stress
Anxiety about heating costs rose significantly, with 66.5% of respondents in 2023 reporting stress, compared to 57.2% in 2022.
Over 11% of respondents reported cutting meals or skipping meals due to heating costs—a concerning example of the “heat or eat” dilemma.
What This Means: This highlights the urgent need for policies that reduce the financial burden of heating, such as expanding energy efficiency schemes and providing targeted financial support to those most affected by fuel poverty.
3. Thermal Comfort and Behavioural Changes
The proportion of people who reported feeling comfortably warm in their main living area dropped from 94% in 2022 to 89.5% in 2023.
Behavioural shifts were evident: more people opted to wear extra clothes as their first response to feeling cold (48.3% in 2023 vs. 43.7% in 2022), while fewer turned up the heating (10.2% in 2023 vs. 17.2% in 2022).
What This Means: The shift towards coping mechanisms like wearing extra layers reflects households’ struggle to balance warmth with rising energy costs. Policymakers must ensure clear guidance and support are in place to help residents maintain safe indoor temperatures without sacrificing well-being.
4. Broader Health and Well-Being Impacts
Cold homes have been linked to a wide range of physical and mental health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems, increased risk of falls, and mental health challenges such as stress and depression.
Vulnerable groups, including older people, disabled individuals, and those living in poorly insulated homes, are particularly affected.
What This Means: Public health strategies should include proactive interventions, such as improving housing insulation, expanding energy assistance programmes, and ensuring vulnerable populations are prioritised for support.
Policy Implications: Recommendations for Action
Based on the findings from the reports, policymakers should consider the following evidence-based recommendations:
Update Heating Guidelines: The Welsh Government’s “satisfactory heating regime” should be revised to ensure safety and comfort, particularly for vulnerable groups. The reports advocate maintaining a minimum temperature of 18°C throughout homes and higher thresholds (e.g., 21°C or above) for older adults and those with chronic health conditions
Expand Energy Efficiency Programmes: Invest in schemes such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and similar initiatives to improve insulation and heating systems. The reports identify poorly insulated and older housing stock, particularly in rural and private rental sectors, as a key contributor to cold homes and fuel poverty
Provide Financial Relief: Both reports highlight the financial strain of heating costs, with increasing anxiety and trade-offs such as reducing meals to afford energy bills. They recommend targeted financial measures, including energy price caps, subsidies, and expanded eligibility for heating payments, to alleviate these burdens
Monitor and Evaluate: Regular assessment of heating regimes and interventions is necessary to ensure they remain effective and equitable. The reports suggest including equality considerations and adapting policies based on emerging evidence and societal changes
Raise Public Awareness: Equip residents with clear and inclusive information about affordable warmth, energy-saving strategies, and financial support options. This aligns with the reports’ emphasis on empowering households to maintain safe indoor temperatures without undue financial stress
Looking Forward
The evidence is clear: addressing fuel poverty and the health impacts of cold homes requires urgent and sustained action. For more information on our work or to explore how we can assist with your research needs, contact us today.
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