Healthy Home Heating and The Impact on Your Health

Healthy Home Heating – With the pandemic thankfully in the rear view mirror but with climate change still a hot topic, your health and the health of your family is very important. We don’t automatically think our homes are places where we need to take care of our health, as we associate it as a place to eat, sleep and relax but there are links between heating and health – so let’s dive in and take a look more closely at the links between home and health.

How can heating affect my health?

Sudden rises and falls of temperatures are fairly easier to understand and control but what happens after a long period of time if your home is not properly heated or maintained?

Your Home is Too Cold…

We all want an warm home but a very cold house can be more than just uncomfortable – it can be problematic to your health.

• Mould: A cold home is a breeding ground for condensation, especially on walls. Left unchecked, this moisture can lead to dampness and mould. Mould isn’t just ugly, it can be a major health issue that can lead to allergies, asthma, and respiratory problems, especially for young children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions.

The health problems might not stop there. Cold homes have been linked to increased blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and a weakened immune system, making you more susceptible to respiratory infections.

The solution is to keep it simple – ensure your home is properly heated and well-ventilated. These two components prevent condensation and creates a healthy, comfortable environment for everyone. Remember, a warm home is a healthy home!

Your Home is Too Warm…

Overheating can be a major issue for UK homes as we battle the cold and the ever changing climate. Here’s why keeping your cool indoors is becoming increasingly important:

• Too Warm: Spending extended periods in a very warm home can lead to a variety of health problems. Heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and even heat stroke are all potential risks. These dangers are especially severe for vulnerable groups like the elderly, young children, and those with existing health conditions, who may experience worsened cardiovascular or respiratory issues.

With global temperatures on the rise, our traditionally cold homes can become uncomfortable due to heat. This can be particularly challenging for those of us in the UK, where many houses aren’t built for the increasing summer warmth.

Finding ways to keep your home cool during the summer months is essential for maintaining good health and comfort.

So Exactly How Hot or Cold Should My Home Be?

The Center for Sustainable Energy have outlined a temperature guide that should help keep your in perfect harmony between too cold and too warm.

How do I properly heat and maintain my home in a healthy manner?

Creating a healthy home environment goes beyond just temperature. It’s about a three-pronged approach: Heating, Insulation, and Ventilation.

Let’s explore how each plays a crucial role:

Healthy Home Heating

A well-maintained heating system isn’t just about comfort; it safeguards your health. Here’s how:

Reduces Dampness: Proper heating dries out moisture in the air, minimising the risk of dampness and mould growth – a common culprit behind respiratory illnesses.

Protects Vulnerable Individuals: A warm home, especially for the elderly and young children, can help prevent hypothermia and illnesses related to cold exposure.

Overall Comfort: A comfortable temperature promotes better sleep, reduces stress, and creates a pleasant living environment.

Remember, a good heating system keeps your home at a consistent and healthy temperature throughout changing seasons and nighttime.

Insulation: Keeping the Goodness In

Heating isn’t enough; keeping the heat in is crucial! Proper insulation offers numerous benefits:

Retains Warmth: Good insulation ensures your home stays warm even after the heating is turned off, saving energy and money.

Maintains Comfort in Cold Months: Consistent warmth throughout the winter protects your health and keeps your home cozy.

Reduces Condensation and Mould: Proper insulation minimises condensation on walls, preventing mould growth that can trigger allergies and respiratory problems.

Investing in insulation is an investment in a healthy and energy-efficient home.

Improve Ventilation so you can Breathe Easy

The final piece of the puzzle is ventilation. A well-ventilated home should:

Minimises Condensation: Proper airflow reduces condensation on windows and walls, preventing moisture build-up and mould growth.

Improves Air Quality: Fresh air circulation brings in clean air and removes stale air, pollutants, and allergens, leading to better overall health.

Combats Stuffiness: Good ventilation keeps the air feeling fresh and prevents that stagnant, stuffy feeling.

Simple solutions like opening windows regularly can significantly improve ventilation.

Underfloor Heating – The Healthy Choice

Underfloor heating is regarded as a very attractive and cost-effective solution for a healthy home. Unlike traditional heating systems that blast hot air, underfloor heating works differently. It gently radiates heat upwards from the floor itself, creating a consistent low temperature throughout the room. This gentle warmth is safe for everyone, from newborns to adults. Plus, individual thermostats allow you to easily adjust the temperature in each room for ultimate comfort.

We offer both Wet Underfloor Heating and Electric Underfloor Heating systems and both have their advantages depending on the what your underfloor heating renovation budget requirements look like. Wet Underfloor heating can be more cost-effective in the long run but Electric Underfloor heating can be more easily retrofitted. Take a look at our two previous articles – 5 Reasons to install Wet Underfloor Heating and 5 Reasons to install Electric Underfloor Heating for more information on both types of setup.

Why should you choose VPS Underfloor Heating?

VPS Underfloor Heating are able to answer any question you might have in regards your thermostat or any upcoming project or installation and stock a range of top-quality underfloor heating products from some of the most recognised names in the business including: Grundfos, Taconova, Heatmiser, ProWarm, ESBE and Salus Controls.

Give us a call on 0141 459 3141 to talk to one of the team or take a look at our Underfloor heating design and quotation service – to get a detailed cost of your underfloor heating project. Our team of design experts are on hand to create your underfloor heating quotation. In just 24 hours we provide you with a detailed quotation, material estimate, and further details about our products and your new system.