Comparison of indoor temperatures of homes with recommended temperatures and effects of disability and age: an observational, cross-sectional study

Objectives

We examine if temperatures in winter in English homes meet the recommendation of being at least 18°C at all times. We analyse how many days meet this criterion and calculate the hours per day and night being at/above 18°C. These metrics are compared between households with occupants aged above 64 years or having a long-term disability (LTD) and those younger and without disability.

Design

Cross-sectional, observational.

Setting

England.

Participants

635 households.

Outcomes measures

(1) Mean temperatures, (2) proportion of days of the measurement period meeting the criterion, (3) average hours at/above 18°C, (4) average hours at night at/above 18°C.

Results

Mean winter temperatures in the bedroom were M_BR=18.15°C (SD=2.51), the living room M_LR=18.90°C (SD=2.46) and the hallway M_Hall=18.25°C (SD=2.57).

The median number of days meeting the criterion was 19–31%. For the living room, more days meet the criterion in the group with a LTD (M_disability=342 vs M_{no_disability}=301, 95% CI 8 to 74), and with someone over 64 years present (M_above64=341, M_below65=301 95%, CI 8 to 74).

The median number of hours/day meeting the criterion was 13–17. In the living room, households with a disability had more hours at 18°C (M_disability=364, M_{no_disability}=297, 95% CI 17 to 83) as did the older age group (M_above64=347, M_below65=296, 95% CI 18 to 84). In the hallway, more hours met the criterion in households with a disability (M_disability=338, M_{no_disability}=302, 95% CI 3 to 70).

247 homes had at least nine hours of at least 18°C at night; no effect of age or disability.

Conclusions

Many households are at risk of negative health outcomes because of temperatures below recommendations.

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