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Cold homes in Wales: Is the satisfactory heating regime appropriate for health and well-being?

Cold homes in Wales COVER

This report presents evidence that living in a colder home (below 18°C) is linked with negative impacts on health and wellbeing, particularly for people who are older or who have health conditions or disabilities. The report also includes a set of recommendations on the satisfactory heating regime in Wales.

The recommendations are based on joint work undertaken by Public Health Wales and Bangor University, including a review of the evidence on cold homes and a household survey with more than 2000 Welsh residents. This report assesses the appropriateness of the Welsh Government's satisfactory heating regime by exploring:

  • the heating regimes used in homes in Wales during winter;
  • who is at risk of living in colder homes;
  • and the impacts of living in colder homes on health and wellbeing.

The authors hope the report findings and recommendations can be used to inform policy deliberations and policymaking in Wales. It could also be of wider relevance to stakeholders with an interest in housing warmth and health inequalities. Broader impacts of this work are intended by providing evidence to support better health, wellbeing, safety and comfort in homes in Wales.