Public Health England recommends heating homes to a minimum temperature of 18C in winter (Image: Getty)
People aged 65 and over are being urged to adjust their heating temperature at home this winter to protect against the cold as a polar vortex could bring bitter weather conditions to the UK.
The polar vortex is a large circulation of very cold winds around 30km above the Earth’s surface which circulates over the North Pole, but the Met Office has warned that is has “weakened and become dramatically stretched”, which could bring colder, drier air to the UK, along with sleet and snow, in a matter of weeks. The forecaster said the polar vortex being disturbed is an “exceptional development for this early in the season”, with early forecasts suggesting it will become “increasingly displaced from the North Pole”, but what influence this will have on the UK weather is still too early to tell as it can take several weeks to develop.
The Met Office said the polar vortex is being “monitored closely” but the current cold snap this week is down to high pressure and colder air from the Arctic. But with a long winter ahead and the prosepect of bitterly cold conditions looking likely, people over 65 are urged to take steps to protect against the chilly weather – including heating their home to the right temperature.
Advice from Public Health England states that homes should be heated to a minimum of 18C in winter and this is “particularly important” for people over 65 to help stay healthy, whatever the weather outside. But the health body adds that it is especially beneficial to maintain this 18C threshold overnight to protect against plummeting temperatures in the early hours.
In a review of minimum home temperature thresholds for health in winter, Public Health England said: “Heating homes to at least 18C (65F) in winter poses minimal risk to the health of a sedentary person, wearing suitable clothing.
“Daytime recommendations: The 18C (65F) threshold is particularly important for people over 65yrs or with preexisting medical conditions. Having temperatures slightly above this threshold may be beneficial for health.
“The 18C (65F) threshold also applies to healthy people (1 – 64). If they are wearing appropriate clothing and are active, they may wish to heat their homes to slightly less than 18CC (65F).
“Overnight recommendations: Maintaining the 18C (65F) threshold overnight may be beneficial to protect the health of those over 65yrs or with pre-existing medical conditions. They should continue to use sufficient bedding, clothing and thermal blankets or heating aids as appropriate.
“Overnight, the 18C (65F) threshold may be less important for healthy people (1 – 64) if they have sufficient bedding, clothing and use thermal blankets or heating aids as appropriate.”
Keeping your home at a temperature of at least 18C day and night can help to fend off nasty winter bugs, including colds, flu and Covid, as well as more serious health problems like pneumonia, heart attacks, strokes and depression.
If you don’t want to heat your whole house, you can opt to just heat the rooms you use most often, like your living room or bedroom, and be sure to keep windows closed overnight to help retain warmth indoors. Drawing your curtains at dusk will also help to keep the heat generated inside your rooms.
To ensure heat doesn’t escape, use draught excluders to seal any gaps around windows and doors, and make sure any radiators in your home aren’t blocked by furniture or curtains.
In its winter advice, the Met Office says: “The cold thickens blood and increases blood pressure, and breathing in cold air can increase the risk of chest infections. So it’s all the more important to ensure your home and the homes of people you look out for are the right temperature.
“Ideally, you should heat your home to a temperature of at least 18C. This is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease. Having room temperatures slightly over 18C could be good for your health.
“If you are under the age of 65, active and wearing appropriate clothing, you may wish to keep your home at a comfortable temperature even if it is slightly lower than 18C.
“Overnight, people who are 65 and over or who have pre-existing health conditions may find bedroom temperatures of at least 18C are good for their health; this may be less important if you are a healthy adult under 65 and have appropriate clothing and bedding. It is important to keep your bedroom window closed at night when the weather is cold.”
Advice from the Met Office, NHS and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also recommends staying active during bouts of cold weather – even if you are stuck inside due to snow and ice – as this will help your body to keep warm, and stave off winter illnesses like colds, flu and more serious health problems.
You should aim to get up and walk around at least once every hour, make sure you eat at least one hot meal per day, and wear several layers of light clothes, rather than one thick layer, to help lock in warmth.
Dr Anya Gopfert, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA, added: “Cold weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, so it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours who are most vulnerable.
“We’re also reminding people to take simple steps to stay warm and look after their health as temperatures begin to fall. Keeping homes heated where possible and dressing warmly can help people stay safe and well during colder weather.”
