Cold Wales homes to impact workers and add to illness woes

Millions of working hours will be lost to the cold in Wales this winter, as homeowners opt to leave the heating off in an attempt to save money on energy bills.

Despite almost two thirds (64%) of people in the region saying a cold home makes them unproductive and unable to concentrate, more than three quarters (77%) of homeowners in Wales will either keep their heating switched off completely or turned to low during the coming months to bring down their energy costs.

The new findings from national builders’ merchant Jewson also show that almost two thirds (61%) of people in Wales suffer physical and mental side effects when living in a cold home. And the problem looks set to continue, with more than two thirds (71%) saying they think keeping their home warm in winter will become a bigger problem over the next five years.

Jewson has shared the findings to coincide with its brand new Making Better Homes Awards, which recognises those in the industry who are working hard to create energy efficient, safe, and comfortable homes. Nominations for the awards are open until 1^stDecember and Jewson is encouraging tradespeople, builders and installers from Wales who are improving the nation’s housing stock – whether through retrofit projects or building new homes – to enter one of the three categories available.

Matt Handley, Category Innovation Manager at Jewson, said: “We rely on the warmth of our homes to stay physically and mentally healthy, but to also carry out the day-to-day tasks expected of us in our professional and personal lives. More so than that, having your house too cold for too long puts the property at risk of long-term damage and structural issues. So, it’s worrying to see that so many people are feeling forced to turning their heating down, or off entirely, to save money on their energy bills. Taking this decision can lead to more serious consequences down the line for ourselves, and our homes.

“At Jewson, we’re on a mission to ensure people don’t have to make those types of choices. We’re working closely with tradespeople, installers and builders to help them create homes that are both energy efficient and comfortable all year round – whether that’s in cold winters or hot summers. This is achieved by investing into a balance of insulation and ventilation. When both are installed to a high standard and in line with building regulations, they can help homeowners save money on their energy bills and other home improvements in the long run.”

The Making Better Homes Awards is open for entries now, and people can make submissions here. There are three categories – Best Use of Renewable Energy in a Project, Best Building Fabric in a Project, and Best Sustainable Project of the Year – with prizes available for shortlisted entrants and the national winners.