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.