The Case for Insulation and Efficient Heating
Across Great Britain, 31 million people are living in homes that are cold, draughty, and expensive to heat. These poorly insulated properties not only impact comfort and wellbeing, but also drain household budgets and place pressure on the NHS and energy networks*.
But there’s good news: millions of these homes have huge potential for improvement. According to research by Citizens Advice, around 13 million of the most inefficient homes in the UK could be upgraded to meet Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C with the right investment. Doing so by 2030 could unlock nearly £40 billion in economic and social benefits.
Let’s break down what that means for households, health, and the environment—and how HEART can help you upgrade your home for free.
The Cost of Cold Homes
When a home lacks proper insulation, heat escapes quickly. That forces homeowners to crank up the heating, leading to higher energy bills with little improvement in comfort. Worse still, it’s often vulnerable people—such as the elderly, young children, or those with pre-existing health conditions—who suffer the most.
Poorly insulated homes are one of the biggest contributors to energy waste in Britain. They’re also one of the easiest problems to fix. Simple interventions like insulating lofts, cavity walls, and floors, or installing more efficient heating systems, can transform a cold, costly property into a warm and affordable one.
If these upgrades were rolled out nationwide by 2030, the benefits would be significant:
- £24 billion saved by consumers on energy bills
- Reduced strain on the national energy grid, especially during winter peaks
- Fewer health-related issues due to cold exposure
- Cleaner air and lower carbon emissions
Health at the Heart of Energy Efficiency
The health impact of cold homes is serious. Living in low temperatures increases the risk of respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and mental health struggles. For many, it’s more than just an inconvenience—it’s a daily battle.
Citizens Advice estimates that improving home efficiency could prevent over 650,000 children from developing asthma by 2030*. It would also reduce NHS spending by £2 billion over the same period.
Even more alarming is the link between cold homes and excess winter deaths. Each year, around 6,000 people in the UK die needlessly due to cold-related conditions—most of them preventable with proper insulation and heating.
Living with Raynaud’s Disease: A Case for Warm Homes
Raynaud’s disease affects the blood vessels, restricting blood flow to fingers and toes during cold conditions. For sufferers, cold homes can be more than uncomfortable—they can be harmful.
Keeping a home consistently warm can make a dramatic difference. Here’s how improved heating helps:
- Reduced Vasospasms – Warm indoor temperatures reduce the number and severity of painful Raynaud’s episodes.
- Better Quality of Life – People feel more relaxed, mobile, and comfortable in a warm, stable environment.
- Lower Risk of Complications – Adequate heating helps prevent ulcers or sores on extremities, common complications in Raynaud’s sufferers.
Take Sue, for example. After struggling with Raynaud’s, Sue and her partner Dom had a fully-funded energy-efficient heating system and solar panels installed at no cost. Since the upgrade, Sue has noticed significant improvements in her symptoms and overall well being.
Sue says, ‘I have an autoimmune disease, Raynaud’s, and I constantly have the heat on. That’s obviously burning money, and people might come in and think it’s warm enough but I feel a different temperature than others. When the heating comes on now, it heats our house to the perfect temperature, and the difference with this that I’ve noticed, is that it just warms our house to the point that I don’t feel the cold now at all, so it’s just perfect.’
You can hear her story in conversation with TV presenter and eco-builder Tommy Walsh, here: Watch the video
Support is available through HEART
Many homeowners and tenants aren’t aware that government-funded schemes are available to help with the cost of improving energy efficiency. HEART offers support for insulation, heating systems, and renewable energy upgrades, such as air source heat pumps, solar PV and battery storage.
If you or someone you know lives in a cold, inefficient home, help may be available — free of charge. Funding is based on eligibility, but our team can guide you through the process and complete a free property energy assessment.
Take the First Step Toward a Warmer, Healthier Home
Improving Britain’s homes isn’t just about energy savings—it’s about comfort, health, and long-term resilience. Whether you’re living with a condition like Raynaud’s or simply tired of high bills and cold rooms, upgrading your home can make a real difference.
HEART is here to help you access the support you’re entitled to. We work with homeowners, landlords and tenants to identify opportunities, secure funding, and carry out upgrades that last.
Get in touch today to find out if you qualify for a fully-funded energy upgrade through a professionally conducted retrofit assessment plan.
Email us at hello@savewithheart.org.uk or call 0800 520 0280
Summary: Why Action is Needed Now
- 31 million people in Britain live in cold, inefficient homes
- 13 million homes could be upgraded to EPC C with available measures
- £24 billion in consumer savings is possible by 2030
- 650,000 asthma cases in children could be prevented
- 6,000 winter deaths a year could be avoided
- Support is available with HEART
Don’t wait for your next high energy bill or a cold snap to act. Let’s make homes across Britain warmer, healthier, and more affordable to live in.
HEART delivers these upgrades across the South East. Contact us or call 0800 520 0280 to arrange a personalised Retrofit Assessment Plan and start your journey to a more efficient home.
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