Comment by Rebecca Sweeney, Business Leader – Homes, at Energy Systems Catapult 

As Britain grapples with a biting cold snap that has seen temperatures drop to minus seven degrees Celsius, many are once again facing an impossible choice: heating or eating. The stark reality is that cold, damp homes are more than just uncomfortable – they’re a silent killer. Each winter, tens of thousands of lives are cut short by the cold, with over 28,000 deaths annually linked to inadequate heating. Yet, there’s a simple, proven solution to this crisis: the nationwide rollout of Warm Home Prescription ® (WHP).

The hidden cost of cold homes

The cold air inside a home doesn’t just chill; it debilitates. Cold homes make certain health conditions worse, particularly affecting lung and heart function. It’s a burden felt most acutely by the vulnerable – those on low incomes, the elderly, and people living with chronic illnesses made worse by the cold.

The sale of blankets and hot water bottles have spiked. And while they bring a small measure of comfort, it is fleeting and no substitute for a consistently warm home. The government has tried to intervene – through winter fuel payments and energy efficiency schemes – and yet, many continue living in unsafe conditions. Such schemes are often too blunt, difficult to access, or fail to ensure that money spent on energy results in warm homes.

This year, the reduction in the number of people receiving the Winter Fuel Payment, though more targeted, risks leaving many exposed. With energy bills predicted to rise again in January 2025 and over 1.7 million households planning to turn their heating off entirely, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Warm Home Prescription: A lifeline

WHP offers the vulnerable a lifeline. This innovative service doesn’t simply hand over cash, it ensures homes are heated and energy efficient, focusing on health outcomes rather than blanket financial aid.

Trials of WHP have shown transformational results. In its first year, over 80% of participants reported keeping their homes warmer than the previous winter. Over 50% spent less time confined to their beds or huddled under blankets, and 70% were able to prioritise other essentials like food. Importantly, they also experienced improved health, with fewer trips to GPs and reduced reliance on emergency care.

One participant summed it up: “I honestly could not have gotten through the winter without it…I would have ended up in hospital poorly.”

A critical step

This isn’t just a quick fix, it’s a blueprint for ensuring vulnerable households aren’t left behind as Britain transitions to a Net Zero future. By focusing on immediate benefits like health and comfort, WHP builds public support for broader energy efficiency measures.

Too often, climate policies have focused solely on reducing emissions, alienating those who prioritise their household’s well-being over carbon savings. WHP bridges this gap, proving that sustainable choices can deliver tangible, life-saving benefits.

It’s time to act

As winter bites, inaction is not an option. We need a national rollout of WHP to protect the most vulnerable, ease the strain on the NHS, and pave the way for a fairer, greener energy system.

Let’s not wait until another cold snap takes more lives. Let’s turn the tide on excess winter deaths and make sure no one has to face the deadly consequences of a cold home again.

If you’re interested in supporting the expansion of this initiative, including adapting it to help children and other vulnerable groups, get in touch today. Together, we can make warm homes the norm, not the exception.