Aussie houses not fit for winter
While Europe and North America swelter in record-breaking heat, Australians are shivering through one of the coldest winters. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), our houses have a lot to do with it.
Key points
Much of Australia is experiencing below-normal winter temperatures.
A new survey of renters points to inadequate housing failing the WHO temperature standard.
Housing advocates call for minimum standards for rental properties.
Did you know the World Health Organisation recommends 18 degrees Celsius as the standard for a safe and well-balanced indoor temperature during winter?
While people living in the south end of Australia may have homes equipped to cope with winter, those further north tend to live in dwellings designed to keep them cool in summer with little insulation to protect against the colder winter months.
Living with persistent cold weather and inadequate housing can affect health – physical and mental. One association between the cold and the ill health of older people is the association between indoor temperature and blood pressure.
According to the World Health Organisation studies, colder indoor temperatures are linked to increased respiratory morbidity, higher blood pressure, and higher chronic respiratory symptoms.
Community organisation Better Renting is investigating how cold Australian homes can get and how often the homes fall below 18 degrees Celsius.
This is the recommendation set by the World Health Organization for a safe and well-balanced indoor temperature for a home during winter.
They have found, so far, that 70% of renters are struggling to heat their homes to the recommended level.
Emma Baker, from the Housing and Healthy Cities Research Group at the University of Adelaide, says the result is not surprising.
A similar study conducted in South Australia in 2019 found that none of the houses reached 18 degrees Celsius in winter.
"Power used to be really cheap, so Australian houses were designed as winter tents that you could pump a whole lot of energy into during winter and warm them up," Professor Baker told the ABC.
"We know that cold housing affects blood pressure, people's risk of cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease," Professor Baker said.
While the new study is focused on renters, it is likely that homeowners, especially pensioners on low incomes, are at risk as temperatures drop and energy costs soar.
According to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), wholesale energy prices tripled in the June quarter across the Eastern states and almost doubled during the previous high in 2019, during drought and heatwaves.
While many are focused on the potential for fatal impacts during heatwaves, it is also important to be mindful that poorly insulated or heated housing can affect health and reduce the quality of life during cold weather.
For further reading: ABC News, World Health Organisation, Australian Energy Market Operator
