Heat your living room and bedroom to 18C, Britons told as cold snap hits

People concerned about rising energy costs should heat their living room, the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has said, with temperatures predicted to plummet to -10C.

The UKHSA said the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions were “particularly at risk” and should keep the heat at 18C in the rooms they use most often.

The recommendation comes amid fears that the increasingly high cost of energy may mean some people resist turning on their heating at home despite the dangerously cold temperatures.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, a consultant in public health medicine at the UKHSA, said: “In rooms you mostly use, such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18C if you can. Keep your bedroom windows closed at night.”

Age UK said it was “understandable” that elderly people might want to keep the heating off, but warned that they could be putting themselves at serious risk of harm.

Health officials issued a level three cold weather alert on Wednesday night, which is set to run until 9am on Dec 12 but could be extended further if forecasts predict continued colder temperatures. The alert is triggered when severe cold weather is likely to affect people’s health significantly.

Temperatures of -10C are predicted for parts of northern Scotland, with readings of -6C also expected in areas of rural England from Thursday.

Large parts of Scotland are set to experience a prolonged “Arctic blast”, with freezing temperatures, snow and ice forecast on Thursday. The Met Office said that Thursday was likely to be the coldest day of the year and parts of north-east England could also see snowfall.

Living in severely low temperatures for a prolonged period puts a considerable strain on the body, which has to work harder to warm up faster. This can lead to an increase in blood pressure and a faster heartbeat, which can in turn exacerbate the risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Dr Sousa added: “Cold weather can have serious consequences for health, and older people and those with heart or lung conditions can be particularly at risk.

“If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you.”

Under the current energy price guarantee, a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity can expect to pay £2,500 annually. However, this rises by £500 to £3,000 a year for typical energy use from April onwards.

As well as the recommendation to heat rooms that are used the most to 18C, the UKHSA also advised that “several layers of thinner clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer”. It added that “having plenty of hot food and drinks is also effective for keeping warm”.

In terms of whether it is more cost efficient to heat one room or a whole home, a “variety of factors that need to be considered”, Ben Price, the co-founder of Heatable, an online boiler installation company, said.

He added: “It’s difficult to provide a standard answer. Factors that are considered include the type of heating system being used, the layout and age of the property, as well as how the property is used on a day-to-day basis.”

For larger houses or those with older boilers, it can be more cost-efficient to heat just one or two rooms that are most commonly used.

However, Mr Price added: “For most households that use modern gas central heating and a modern boiler, it’s typically advised to heat the whole house.” He advised installing thermostatic radiator valves in each room so the temperature of different rooms can be adjusted.

Caroline Abrahams, the charity director at Age UK said it was “essential” that older people tried to stay “as warm as possible”.

She added: “With such high energy prices, it’s understandable that there are many people who are reluctant to turn the heating up. But prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can be really harmful for older people, particularly anyone who is coping with ill health or mobility issues.

“We also advise people to keep their living room, or the room they use most, warm while they’re at home during the day and heat their bedroom to 18C before they go to bed. Rooms that aren’t being used, for example a spare bedroom, can have the radiators turned off and the doors closed so energy isn’t wasted.”