KEEP OUT THE COLD

On finishing my architectural studies back in 1994, I moved into a decrepit warehouse in London’s Brick Lane market. It was an amazing light and lofty space, with tons of character and, sadly, lots of holes – not to mention the lack of a kitchen, bathroom, heating, hot water and some windowpanes! That winter I learned the hard way what’s ‘cool’ and what’s cold. However, the upcycling of that space was to be my first foray into sustainable housing and, from there, it became clear that before you start fitting energy-efficient heating systems, you’ve got to fix the leaky sieve that is your home.

Having a cold home is more than just uncomfortable – it’s bad for your physical and mental health. The cold can lead to high blood pressure, pneumonia, hypothermia and heart attack. In addition, damp and the growth of mould can cause respiratory illness. On another level, it can lead to social isolation, loss of sleep, lower moods and depression.

Ideally, your home should be 18-23° Centigrade (depending on age and personal comfort and activity levels) and well ventilated. • My first tip would be to insulate your home – think roof spaces, walls and floors. Replace old windows with double glazing and minimise heat loss through windows with thick curtains. • Next, cut unwanted draughts by sealing around doors and windows with foam - or rubber-strip draught excluders, as well as minimising any openings. Block unused chimneys temporarily using a chimney balloon. • Now put in extractor fans (ideally continuous running fans) for ventilation in spaces with water, such as bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms, to keep out unwanted damp.

• Pop a jumper on or use a throw on the sofa rather than turning up the heating – each degree of heat in your home is costing you money and impacting on the environment.

• Consider updating your boiler with a more efficient system if it’s over 10 years old. If not, then be sure to have it serviced and the system flushed out every year.

• Fit thermostatic valves to each radiator in your home so you can control the temperature to suit individual needs and activity. Lounge spaces may need to be warmer, while bedrooms can be a little cooler.

• Install a home-control system with a programmable timer – these can be app controlled through your smartphone, allowing you to switch the system off and manage the temperature when you’re away from home.

And lastly, remember that what happens in your home has a wider impact, so switch to an energy supplier that produces and supplies

100 per cent renewable energy. Heating your home doesn’t need to heat the planet too!