Fighting Respiratory Health Issues with Home Insulation

UK Public Concerns about Consequences of Cold Homes

Although cold and uninsulated homes can create more than one problem, probably the one that worries the most refers to health issues of the habitants of such cold ones, especially serious respiratory issues.

UK environmental organisation Friends of the Earth has published a very troubling finding regarding the number of people reported for respiratory health problems due to inadequately heated homes. Namely, the results of the latest study have shown that the number of people admitted for chronic respiratory issues has increased 40% in the past five years in the UK, when compared to Sweden. This result becomes even more problematic when you compare demographic data and climate of these two countries. The organisation has further on published the information according to which asthma admissions in UK hospitals are even 126% higher in UK, just as pneumonia admissions and hospital stays are 27% higher.

Bearing in mind these data, it is vital to find adequate solution to the problems with cold homes and its consequences, primarily health issues. Namely, Sophie Neuberg from Friends of the Earth stated: The key to solving this crisis is better housing. Sweden's homes are well-insulated and the nation benefits from much lower levels of fuel poverty than the UK."

Thus, this is where we should look for the core of the problem and potential solution. It is very important to take advantage from all the available insulation materials that are present in the UK market nowadays and that do not need to be too costly and can be incorporated into almost every budget. This is also a way to fight fuel poverty which is another canker in UK. Proper insulation can drastically improve the overall energy efficiency of the household, decrease energy consumption and what is even more important reduce the number of respiratory illness patients, especially with elderly people or people with chronic health conditions. What is talked about the most and insisted on are proper cavity wall and loft insulation, but let’s not forget about all other parts of the building envelope that too deserve proper insulation, such as floors, basement and garage spaces. Finally, even the smallest of things can go a long way, so if you want to prevent or stop draughts within your home, make sure to build and maintain an airtight and well insulated construction.